The School Education Department has won the SKOCH Award 2026 for three initiatives — VETRI Palligal, TN SPARK, and Tamil Nadu Model Schools. The awards honour high-impact governance innovations that deliver measurable outcomes at scale.

According to a press release, VETRI Palligal is the State’s flagship talent discovery and competitive exam support programme for government school students. Through aptitude mapping, career guidance, and structured coaching for national entrance examinations, the initiative has expanded to 59,270 students across 339 hub schools in 236 blocks.

Under the TN SPARK initiative, government school students are equipped with AI, robotics, coding, and digital skills required for the future economy. In its first year, the programme reached over 5,000 schools with AI learning centres, reaching 3.53 lakh students and trained 6,000 teachers.

The Tamil Nadu Model Schools provides a fully state-funded residential academic support for high-potential government school students aspiring to be placed in premier institutions. The programme now serves 11,885 residential students across all 38 districts and where over 1,300 students receive admission to premier institutions per year.

B. Chandra Mohan, School Education Department Secretary, said, “This recognition reflects Tamil Nadu’s commitment to ensuring that no child’s future is limited by circumstance. Our focus remains on building a public education system that is equitable, aspirational, and future-ready.”