TN Student Welfare Initiatives 2024–25

Expanding Access to Education

TN Student Welfare Initiatives 2024–25: Tamil Nadu strengthened its student-centric policies in 2024–25, focusing on improving access, retention, and foundational learning. The government’s initiatives covered schoolchildren from Classes I to X and extended support to girls pursuing higher education.
Static GK fact: Tamil Nadu was the first Indian state to introduce a Midday Meal Scheme in 1957, laying the foundation for later welfare programmes.

Support for Girl Students

The Pudhumai Penn Scheme continued to be a major empowerment initiative. Over 4.13 lakh girl students benefited in 2024–25, receiving ₹1,000 per month to pursue higher education. This financial support aims to reduce dropouts among girls, particularly from marginalised communities.
Static GK Tip: The scheme was launched in 2022 to boost female enrolment in colleges.

Aid for Tamil-Medium Boys

The Tamil Puthalvan Scheme supported more than 3.28 lakh boy students studying in Tamil-medium from Classes VI to X. The ₹1,000 monthly assistance encourages continued schooling in the mother tongue and strengthens the Tamil-medium education ecosystem. This initiative aligns with the state’s long-standing emphasis on linguistic pride and inclusivity.

Strengthening Nutrition and School Attendance

The Chief Minister’s Breakfast Programme saw a major expansion in 2024–25. It was extended to State-aided rural schools, aiming to improve morning nutrition and enhance attendance among young learners. Short, nutritious meals provided at the start of the school day reduce classroom hunger and support healthier learning outcomes.
Static GK fact: Tamil Nadu is known for pioneering large-scale nutrition programmes focused on children.

Boosting Foundational Learning

The government’s focus on early learning continued through two major initiatives.
Over 7.97 lakh students from Classes I–V benefited from Illam Thedi Kalvi, which provided home-based learning support.
Simultaneously, Ennum Ezhuthum reached 25.08 lakh students, strengthening foundational literacy and numeracy across primary grades. This programme directly addresses learning gaps and aligns with national goals for early-grade competency.

Technology and Infrastructure Investment

Tamil Nadu prioritised digital learning and school infrastructure through extensive upgrades. More than 8,200 high-tech labs were established in government schools, giving students access to modern digital tools and STEM learning environments. In 2024–25, the government allocated ₹745 crore for school upgrades and ₹200 crore for maintenance. These investments underline the state’s commitment to technology-enabled education.
Static GK Tip: Tamil Nadu consistently ranks high in national school education indices due to sustained infrastructure reforms.

Broader Impact on Educational Inclusion

Together, these welfare schemes represent a comprehensive approach to educational inclusion in Tamil Nadu. From improving nutrition and foundational skills to providing financial assistance and modern infrastructure, the state aims to enhance learning quality and student retention across socioeconomic backgrounds. These programmes also strengthen long-term human capital development contributing to equitable growth.

Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table

TN Student Welfare Initiatives 2024–25: