Chennai, March 2 (IANS) The government schools throughout Tamil Nadu are set to launch their enrolment campaign for the 2026-27 academic year on Monday. The School Education Department has established an ambitious goal of enrolling over four lakh students this year.

This initiative was brought forward from the previous academic year to enhance competitiveness against private institutions that typically initiate admissions earlier. The same approach will be adopted this year.

Officials believe that the early commencement will encourage more parents to consider government schools before finalizing their choices for private institutions.

School heads and educators have been instructed to concentrate on children aged five years who are currently in anganwadis. Clear directives have been issued to ensure that all such children are registered in nearby schools or institutions close to their residences.

Furthermore, education department officials have been tasked with carrying out awareness campaigns aimed at parents, emphasizing the advancements made in government schools in recent years.

Authorities plan to highlight facilities such as smart classrooms, high-tech laboratories, upgraded infrastructure, and digital learning tools that have been introduced under various state initiatives.

The department anticipates that these features, combined with qualified teachers and welfare schemes, will bolster public confidence in government education.

To motivate schools to engage proactively, the department has announced that institutions enrolling at least 50 more students compared to last year will be awarded certificates of appreciation.

Officials state that this recognition aims to inspire school administrators and educators to enhance their outreach efforts within their communities.

A senior education official mentioned that approximately 4.3 lakh students were registered in government schools during the prior academic year. “On average, nearly half of school-going children enroll in government or government-aided institutions, while the other half choose private schools. According to official statistics, there are over eight lakh children in the five-year age group eligible for enrolment this year, and this data will inform our outreach initiatives,” the official stated.

Officials emphasized that the primary aim is to ensure every eligible child is enrolled in school while also increasing the overall number of students in government institutions.

The state-level enrolment drive is set to be formally inaugurated on Monday by the School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi.