In a heartening trend for Tamil Nadu’s education sector, the number of government school students joining colleges has seen a 30% rise over the last three years. From just 45% in 2021-22, the percentage of students enrolling in higher education has soared to 74% in the 2023-24 academic year, according to data from the state’s School Education Department.

What’s Driving This Change?

This progress isn’t accidental — it’s the result of targeted efforts by the state government to uplift students from underprivileged backgrounds and give them a real shot at higher education.

1. Pudhumai Penn Scheme

Introduced in 2022, this scheme provides ₹1,000 every month to girl students from government schools who enroll in higher education institutions. This incentive has played a major role in encouraging girls to pursue college education.

2. Tamil Pudhalvan Scheme

Launched in 2024, this scheme offers similar support for boys. Together, these initiatives aim to remove financial barriers that often prevent students from continuing their studies.

3. Naan Mudhalvan Scheme

This career development initiative helps students understand different career paths and motivates them to continue their education. Since May 2023, career guidance cells have been set up in all government schools to provide support and mentorship. These teams include school heads, trained teachers, alumni, and school management members.

The Numbers Tell the Story

In 2021-22, only 45% of government school Class 12 students enrolled in college.

In 2022-23, this rose to 69%.

In 2023-24, 74% of students took the leap into higher education.

Even though the number of students who took the board exams dropped slightly in 2023-24 (from 3.97 lakh to 3.34 lakh), more than 2.47 lakh students went on to join colleges, ITIs, or polytechnic institutions.

Towards 100% Enrollment

Tamil Nadu already has the highest Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) among the larger states in India at 47%, and the government aims to improve this even further. The goal is to ensure that every student who graduates from a government school continues into higher education within the next 2–3 years.

To support this, the education department is conducting special training for career guidance cell members, and schools have been asked to share their efforts in upcoming Gram Sabha meetings. Additional support programmes and mentoring are also being planned for the summer.

Why This Matters

Access to higher education can transform lives — it opens up opportunities, improves job prospects, and helps build a stronger, more equitable society. Tamil Nadu’s proactive approach could serve as a model for other states in India looking to bridge the education gap.