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Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Tamil Nadu to upgrade 20 government high schools to higher secondary for 2025–26
Chennai, India: The Department of School Education has announced plans to upgrade 20 government high schools across Tamil Nadu into higher secondary schools for the 2025–26 academic year. The initiative, aimed at expanding access to higher secondary education, follows a budget announcement earlier this year by School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi. As part of the upgradation process, 200 postgraduate teachers will be appointed, with ten teachers assigned to each school. Subject-wise allocations include Tamil, English, physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, history, economics, computer science, and commerce. Teachers will be recruited under the pay scale of Rs 36,900–1,16,600 (Level-18), with the state government approving an estimated expenditure of Rs 29.39 crore for the project. Among the schools identified for upgradation is Mathur Government High School in Chennai's Madhavaram block. Other districts benefiting include Cuddalore, Kallakurichi, Krishnagiri, Chengalpattu, Dindigul, Tiruchy, Tirupattur, Madurai, Villupuram, Ramanathapuram, Tiruppur, Salem, Tiruvannamalai, Nagapattinam, and Kanniyakumari. Officials said the initiative aims to ensure students in rural and semi-urban areas can continue studies up to Class 12 without shifting schools or discontinuing education. 'It is about time certain high schools are upgraded. This will help reduce dropout rates and encourage students to pursue higher education within their localities,' a government school teacher said. However, the development comes amid challenges in the state's education system, with declining enrollment in several schools. The Department of Elementary Education (DEE) recently closed 208 state-run schools due to zero admissions. Overall, 1,204 schools across Tamil Nadu recorded no new enrollments this academic year, including 208 government primary and middle schools, 114 government-aided schools, 11 partially-funded schools, 869 private institutions, and two union government schools. Officials hope that upgrading high schools to higher secondary will strengthen the public school system and restore confidence among parents and communities in state-run institutions. IANS Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
India.com
3 days ago
- General
- India.com
Tamil Nadu Closes 208 Schools Amid Declining Student Admissions
A sharp drop in Tamil Nadu's birth rate and a corresponding fall in student enrolment have compelled the state government to temporarily shut down 208 of its primary and middle schools this academic year, according to the Department of Elementary Education (DEE). Fresh data from the DEE reveals that 1,204 schools across the state did not register a single new admission in 2024-25. This list includes 208 state-run institutions, 114 government-aided schools, 11 partially funded schools, 869 private schools, and two Central government institutions. Among the government-run schools, 157 fall under the School Education Department, 13 under the Adi Dravida Welfare Department, 19 under Social Welfare, and eight under Tribal Welfare. A senior DEE official said the closures are not permanent. 'Operations will resume when enrolment picks up in the affected areas. The trend of low admissions is visible across all types of school managements and departments,' the official noted. Rural Schools Hit Hard by Low Admissions Most of the affected schools are in rural or remote locations where there are very few children of school-going age. In some cases, students who enrolled in June have since migrated with their parents to other regions. Officials attribute the fall in government school admissions to urban migration, parents opting for private English-medium schools, and shifting livelihood patterns. Declining Birth Rates and Future Concerns Population statistics underscore the scale of the demographic change. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's population projections for 2011-2036, the number of children aged 0-1 years in Tamil Nadu fell from 10.74 lakh in 2011 to 9.53 lakh in 2021 and is expected to decline further to 8.78 lakh by 2026. The state's total fertility rate (TFR) has dropped from 1.68 during 2011-15 to 1.54 in the current period (2021-25), well below the replacement level of 2.1. Public Health Department records show that live births decreased from 9.02 lakh in 2023 to 8.46 lakh in 2024 -- a year-on-year fall of 6.2 per cent. Education authorities caution that while the current closures are temporary, sustained declines in birth rates and enrolments may require a long-term restructuring of school infrastructure, staff allocation, and educational planning in the state. Also Read: AICTE Begins Registration For Pragati Scholarship 2025 At Check Eligibility Criteria, Other Details Here
