Tamil Nadu Model: 448 government school students qualified in the first phase of JEE

Chennai: In a major breakthrough, 448 students from government schools in Tamil Nadu have qualified in the first stage of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), one of the toughest competitive exams in the country. The top three performers were Praveen (Tiruvannamalai – 99.53), Naresh (Tiruvannamalai – 99.50), and Velmurugan (Ranipet – 99.42). School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi praised their performance, saying it was a result of the government’s commitment to strengthening the Dravidian model and model schools, allowing students who once stood outside the gates of major institutions to now walk in with confidence. According to data from the School Education Department, over the past four years, 2,358 students from government schools have secured admission in 50 subjects at 93 major institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Law Universities (NLUs), and the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).

Currently, 41 students are studying at IITs, while 17 are enrolled in universities in Japan, Taiwan, and Malaysia, fully funded by the state government. Since the Model Schools began in 2021, 39,044 students have studied at these institutions. The Model Schools initiative was launched to help government school students attend national institutions and global universities. Initially, it was launched in 10 backward districts of Tamil Nadu and later expanded to all districts. The program combines rigorous academic training with personality development. Along with preparing for national level entrance exams, students also receive training in life skills, traditional and performing arts, music, dance, public speaking, financial literacy, self-defense and English communication.