Students in Delhi government schools will now receive free coaching for entrance examinations such as NEET and JEE.
Earlier, the government had introduced this facility as a pilot project in a few schools that led to successful results. Gradually, the aim is to cover all the students in the science stream, at present more than 30,000 students are enrolled in the science stream.
The Directorate of Education (DoE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Avanti Fellows, an organisation that has been involved in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education for the past 11 years, to assist with the coaching of several entrance exams for students in classes 11 and 12.
For the first year, around 6000 students, studying in classes 11 and class 12 will be selected for free coaching, and they will receive free coaching through test series, academic support and mentorship.
While announcing the initiative, Deputy CM Manisha Sisodia expressed that the dreams of several youngsters to become doctors or engineers would now come true. He added that previously, a trial version of a free coaching program was implemented in a few schools, leading to good results and more than 160 girls from the SC and ST categories are receiving free NEET preparation from experts as part of this programme.
It has been expected that since many parents cannot afford expensive coaching centres for their children, this step will promote easy access to higher education in the field of science and technology, which includes engineering, pharmacy, nursing, paramedical courses and research programs.
Also, ahead of the Punjab Assembly polls, CM Arvind Kejriwal has promised to initiate such steps for the students in Punjab.