‘Pass percent of Adi Dravidar, tribal students has reached 96%’

The pass percentage of Adi Dravidar and tribal students in higher secondary schools has reached an unprecedented 96% in sixty years, thanks to special initiatives, the Tamil Nadu government said on Thursday.

“The pass percentage of Adi Dravidar and tribal students in Class X public exam rose from 78% in 2021-2022 to 92% in 2023-2024. In the Class XII public exam, it rose from 84% in 2021-2022 to 96% in 2024-2025, setting new records…,” a release said, listing the steps being taken by the State for the welfare of students from Adi Dravidar and Tribal communities.

About 480 new classrooms and 15 science laboratories have been constructed in 154 Adi Dravidar welfare schools at a cost of ₹108.50 crore. More than 250 classrooms, 42 toilets, and laboratories were being constructed in 65 high schools at a cost of ₹125 crore, and smart classrooms have been set up in 119 Adi Dravidar welfare schools, it said.

Equipment worth ₹3.15 crore had been provided for science laboratories in 126 Adi Dravidar and tribal higher secondary schools, the release said, adding: “Coaching for entrance exams to higher educational institutions is being given to tribal students in residential schools, covering JEE, NEET, CLAT, NIFT, and CUET.”

It further said that the State government was providing financial assistance to law students from Adi Dravidar, Tribal, and converted Christian Adi Dravidar communities who are studying in their final year in government law colleges.

Under the Annal Ambedkar Overseas Higher Education programme, students were being provided assistance of up to ₹36 lakh a year. Though only nine students benefited in 2021-2022, 176 students were benefiting through the scheme at present, it said, adding: “The allocation for this scheme has increased from ₹5.31 crore in 2021-2022 to ₹60.33 crore in 2024-2025 under the Dravidian Model governance…”