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Yogeswari, a village girl from Tamil Nadu's Virudhunagar district, who lives in Sathur village, has got admission to IIT-Bombay's course in Aerospace Engineering. Her journey from not knowing anything about Aerospace Engineering to getting a seat in the top institute is an instance of unparallel commitment. Yogeshwari studies at Padanthal Government School in Sathur village, her dad sells tea from a stall and her mom works in a firecracker company

For her, the threshold point was through Chief Minister MK Stalin's favorite plans 'Naan Mudhalvan' plan and 'Kalluri Kanavu' plan, which offer introductions to college studies and help students with applying and preparing for competitive exams. Yogeswari had no idea that something was known as JEE exam even existed before taking up these schemes.

"I was at a program and they explained to me about JEE and how to join. I cleared JEE Mains and then they got me admitted in JEE Advance Coaching. It was tough first but gradually I read and cleared JEE Advance. I'm glad that I've got admission at Aerospace Engineering at IIT-Bombay," said Yogeswari.

She attributes District Collector VP Jeyaseelan for having introduced her to opportunities in higher education and applying using JEE. The courses gave her excellent direction on exam preparation that helped her succeed. "Naan Mudhalvan and Kalluri Kanavu programs were conducted by District Collector Jeyaseelan and through them I got to know about higher studies and how to apply for it. They advised me to apply for JEE and how to prepare for it due to which I could crack the exam."

She thanked Chief Minister MK Stalin and District Collector Jeyaseelan, who have pledged to finance her higher class studies, deeming these schemes as a godsend for backward economic children. "I thank Chief Minister MK Stalin and District Collector Jeyaseelan who have pledged to fund my higher studies," she stated.

Hard work and dedication were the only tools Yogeswari had to chase such a massive dream. Yogeswari aspires to become an aerospace technology like her role models Sunita Williams and Kalpana Chawla.

Andhra Pradesh introduced the 'Talliki Vandanam' scheme to provide Rs 15,000 annually for every school-going child. It benefits mothers, enhances education opportunities, and promotes population increase. More than 67 lakh students and 43 lakh mothers will gain benefit

Andhra Pradesh's TDP-government headed by NDA has introduced 'Talliki Vandanam' scheme wherein Rs 15,000 would be provided each year to each school-going child in a family, a senior official on Friday.

'Talliki Vandanam' is one of the 'Super Six' welfare promises announced by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu ahead of the 2024 elections. "The government has circulated guidelines for the roll-out of the 'Talliki Vandanam' scheme, an important initiative aimed at strengthening mothers/guardians throughout the state, by providing financial support of Rs 15,000 per year per child to all qualifying mothers/guardians," the secretary to government Kona Sasidhar said in an order.

Regardless of the number of children residing in a family who study from class I up to intermediate, all deserving families will be covered under the scheme.

Similarly, the government will also consider the anticipated eligible enrollment into Class I and junior intermediate for this scheme, it added. More than 67 lakh students and 43 lakh mothers will gain from the 'Talliki Vandanam' scheme. Rs 2,000 at source will be deducted out of Rs 15,000 per annum for the overall development of educational ecosystem in the state, including maintenance, hygiene and sanitation.

As per the secretary, this scheme aims to enhance school education by making it more inclusive and accessible in terms of commitment to offer equal opportunities as well as enhance learning outcomes.

"The scheme empowers mothers to be actively involved in their children's schooling from Class I to Class XII, while recognising their pivotal role in shaping educational progress," he added.

The advantages of the scheme will be given to all the prospective children, Sasidhar added, stating that government, aided and unaided private schools and junior colleges will also come under its fold.

The southern state has fixed a timeline between June 12 and July 5 to finish the whole disbursal and the implementation of the scheme. The government has referred to the "mother of all welfare schemes" as 'Tallki Vandanam'. The scheme is also expected to instill confidence among families to increase the number of children as part of Naidu's emphasis on tackling a declining population and 'demographic management'.

Maharashtra's new school session will start on Monday, June 16, across all districts except Vidarbha, where schools will open on June 23. Newly admitted students will be greeted on the first day through the state-level 'School Welcome Festival' (Shala Praveshotsav), with the Chief Minister, the two Deputy Chief Ministers, ministers, and top officials planning to visit government and municipal schools throughout the state.

The School Education Department has stated the aim of the initiative is to improve the quality of education and increase attendance. The attendance of functionaries will also be for inspecting different sectors of school operations — such as the availability of free textbooks and uniforms, student admissions, infrastructure, and supporting systems.

The senior leaders and officials like other chief secretaries, principal secretaries, and district collectors have been asked to go on visits to the schools under their jurisdiction. They will also discuss with the members of the school management committees, local elected representatives, and civic officials how the enrolment in government schools can be boosted.

Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik recently reviewed the preparations and directed officials to participate actively in the school reopening. She called for measures to improve academic standards and contribute to the overall development of schools.

As part of the state's NIPUN Maharashtra Mission, for foundational literacy and numeracy, it is the aim for 75% of children from Year 2 to Year 5 to reach class-level proficiency. The senior officials will be required to engage with parents through the welcome programme and have also been tasked with taking responsibility for adopting schools to enable long-term growth.

Chief Secretary I.A. Kundan stressed that the visits must also evaluate the quality of Prime Minister Poshan Shakti Scheme's mid-day meals, students' hygiene practices, and sports and co-curricular facilities. She was confident that the program would go a long way in instilling a more positive attitude towards public schooling and provide children with a motivating learning environment to achieve good learning.

The School Education Department of Tamil Nadu has released a Government Order (G.O.) to organize the reading of non-academic books by students in Classes 1 to 8 in all government schools.

It also seeks to improve effective use of school libraries, with a structured plan spread across the whole academic year.

According to the new directive, students will be given books covering a range of themes, such as sports, animals, environment, science, the role of education, and the applications of the Internet, among others.

The reading time has been designed to suit each grade's reading capacity, so as to be within the reach and interest of the students at the primary and upper primary levels.

Apart from reading, the G.O. also provides a detailed plan of activities like story-telling sessions, speeches, and group discussions to enhance student interest in the subject matter.

The sessions are expected to promote language skills, critical awareness, and innovation.

The initiative is a part of a bigger plan announced by the School Education Minister for encouraging reading skills in government schools through theme-based reading weeks, reading competitions, and story-telling sessions.

To facilitate this, the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) shall prepare suitable reading material on each weekly theme.

The Integrated Education Department shall monitor implementation of the programme at the school level.

Officials in the Elementary Education Department said that this step follows the success of the 'Vasippu Iyakkam (Reading Movement)', which was expanded last year to all government schools in Tamil Nadu.

As a part of that program, more than 120 Tamil books specially selected for various reading levels were given to each classroom.

The new directive also streamlines the 'Vasippu Iyakkam' initiative by providing a lucid and organized reading schedule, which can be accessed easily by the teachers and put into effective practice.

The Directorate of Elementary Education has worked painstakingly to design the academic calendar, tying it to developmental reading standards of students in Classes 1 to 8.

It is the hope of education authorities that the move will foster a culture of reading among young students, facilitate wholesome learning, and ensure optimal utilization of the vast library facilities that already exist in government schools.

Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan has come to the defence of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)'s decision to hold Class 10 board exams twice every year from 2026, asserting that it would neither dilute the process nor cut down stress. He asserted that the school education system is capable enough nationwide to manage the two exams.

India has more than 60 school boards, and there has never been any question about their capabilities. The structure of the examinations is not loading the education system. The plan to hold board exams twice a year is not to weaken the process, but to minimize stress among students," Pradhan stated at ABP News education conclave on Monday.

Pradhan explained that the National Testing Agency administers the Joint Entrance Examination twice a year and enables students to select their highest score. "Based on this concept, we are implementing a similar scheme for Class 10 board examinations. .students will be able to appear for the board exam twice a year and keep their best score.". This step is suggested by experts.it is directed at offering flexibility and less exam-induced stress. Our education system in schools is capable enough to implement this change throughout the nation."

A CBSE draft policy in February suggested Class 10 board exams twice in an academic year from 2026, aligning with National Education Policy 2020 suggestions. It was released on February 25, and the last date for submission of feedback was March 9.

The policy announced CBSE Class 10 board exam 2026 for 26,60,000 students in 84 subjects will be conducted in two phases within 34 days. The 18-day first phase will be from February 17 to March 6 and the 16-day second phase from May 5 to May 20.

The Department of State Educational Research and Training (DSERT) of Karnataka is incorporating traffic lessons into the state board's school syllabus. The step is taken to create awareness on traffic rules and personal security among children.

Textbooks of Class 2, Class 4, Class 6, Class 7, and Class 9 now include content related to road safety, a report by The New Indian Express says.

DSERT said that as books for the 2025-26 academic year are already printed and in distribution mode, the traffic curriculum being made available by Bangalore Traffic Police shall be included when the textbooks are prepared or revised.

Though numerous government schools are struggling to find light due to lack of maintenance, an alumni association of one Kodagu government school is making efforts to restore the school. Funds of up to Rs 10 lakh were collected in a bid to support the restoration and rejuvenation of the school.

The Suntikoppa Government Primary School, which was initiated 108 years back, has educated lakhs of students. There was a high school section that was introduced in the institution 44 years ago. Although, lack of fund for developmental activities has been an obstacle forever, thus the institution never even had a centenary celebration. Nonetheless, the institution's alumni became active recently and are now set to revive the institution.

A few days back, some alumni had organized a reunion and there was a Guru Vandhana programme, with the retired teaching staff participation.

Alumni Association was launched and an announcement was made regarding the renovation of the school building that is in a bad condition. Renovation started after the alumni association raised money to the extent of Rs 10 lakh, as was reported in The New Indian Express.