India (Commonwealth Union)_ In a major move to enhance educational opportunities for its youth, the Tamil Nadu government has launched a significant initiative aimed at enrolling over 2.47 lakh Class XII students into higher education institutions. This ambitious drive, named the Naan Mudhalvan – Uyarvukku Padi programme, will be implemented across the state to address the gap in higher education enrollment and support students who have completed their Class XII exams but have not yet pursued further studies. Accordingly, the Tamil Nadu government’s initiative addresses a critical issue observed in recent academic statistics.
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For the academic year 2022-2023, out of 3,97,809 students who completed their Class XII exams, 2,39,270 students enrolled in higher education, and 45,440 students applied for further studies. However, a significant number, 1,13,099 students, either did not apply or failed to provide adequate details of their enrollment status. Similarly, in 2023-2024, of the 3,31,540 students who completed their Class XII exams, 1,97,510 have applied for higher education, leaving 1,34,030 students either unregistered or lacking sufficient application details. To tackle this issue, the Naan Mudhalvan – Uyarvukku Padi programme will be organized at the divisional level across all 94 districts in Tamil Nadu. The programme aims to provide comprehensive support, guidance, and resources to students who have either failed their Class XII exams, been absent, or passed but not pursued higher education.
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Accordingly, Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam has emphasized the importance of this initiative and instructed district collectors to lead the program, ensuring the effective convergence of various departments to facilitate the full enrollment of students in colleges or, if necessary, in short-term skilling programs. The communication outlined specific tasks for various authorities, including district collectors, revenue divisional officers, chief educational officers, district employment officers, college principals, child welfare officers, assistant commissioners of labor, district backward class welfare officers, district Adi Dravidar welfare officers, TNeGA, and NGOs, among others.
The Tamil Nadu government recognizes that the reasons for not pursuing higher education can be varied. These may include a lack of information about higher education opportunities, personal circumstances such as marriage, the need to join the workforce, health issues, distance constraints, or financial difficulties. To address these barriers, the programme will offer a range of options to students, including bank loans, Learn, Earn & Grow (LEG) courses, admissions to polytechnics/ITIs, scholarships, family counseling, hostel accommodations, certificate camps, and support from NGOs.
As part of the broader efforts to improve higher education access, the Tamil Nadu government has already made strides with the Pudhumai Penn Scheme, which began in 2022. This initiative has provided financial support to 2.73 lakh girl students, leading to a 34 percent increase in female enrollment in higher education institutions across the state. The scheme offers a monthly aid of Rs 1,000 to female students from government schools pursuing higher education. Additionally, the Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Higher Education Assurance Scheme or ‘Pudhumai Penn Scheme’ launched by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in 2022 and Tamizh Pudhalvan schemes will also be available to assist students in overcoming these challenges.
Furthermore, the Naan Mudhalvan scheme has been instrumental in benefitting over 27 lakh students, with more than 1.9 lakh individuals gaining employment opportunities through its various programs. Additionally, the Tamil Nadu government has also introduced new curriculum courses in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation, aiming to enhance the skill sets of students in government-run polytechnic, engineering, and arts and science colleges. In addition to these efforts, the Tamil Nadu government has allocated approximately Rs 1,000 crore over the past three years to support 13,241 first-generation learners, underscoring its commitment to fostering educational and career development.
The Naan Mudhalvan – Uyarvukku Padi programme is set to begin with three camps starting September 9, with intervals of 10 days between each camp. This strategic approach aims to ensure comprehensive outreach and support for all eligible students. By facilitating greater access to higher education and addressing the various barriers students face, the Tamil Nadu government is taking a significant step towards improving educational outcomes and fostering a more inclusive educational environment for the youth of the state. This initiative not only reflects the Tamil Nadu government’s commitment to educational advancement but also serves as a model for other regions in India, showcasing how targeted programs can effectively bridge gaps in higher education enrollment and support student success.
