Haryana Launches Free Coaching Initiative for Meritorious Government School Students Preparing for JEE & NDA

The Haryana government has taken a progressive step toward uplifting students' academic prospects in its government schools. On Wednesday, Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda announced a pilot project to provide free after-school coaching to meritorious students aiming to crack top-tier competitive exams such as the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) and National Defence Academy (NDA) entrance exams.

The initiative aims to level the playing field for bright students in government schools, who often face limited access to quality coaching and exam preparation. The pilot project will be conducted within school premises after regular class hours and will be led by experienced teachers from the government school system.

A Strategic Move to Boost Academic Outcomes

During a review meeting in Panchkula with senior education department officials, Dhanda said the programme is currently in its planning phase and will be rolled out as a pilot project. If it proves effective in helping students secure admissions to prestigious institutions or clear high-stakes exams, it will be scaled across the state.

The announcement is part of the Haryana government's broader effort to enhance the quality of education in government schools. According to Dhanda, this scheme is not just about exam success but about empowering students with the proper academic support, mentorship, and confidence to compete on par with their peers in private institutions.

By utilizing the existing infrastructure and faculty strength of government schools, the project also ensures that it is cost-effective and sustainable in the long term.

Targeted After-School Coaching Model

The programme will focus on after-school hours, ensuring regular academic instruction is not disrupted. Government school teachers, who are familiar with the curriculum and student needs, will serve as mentors and trainers.

This not only ensures continuity in learning but also brings an element of trust and familiarity into the coaching process. The model enables teachers to identify learning gaps, personalize instruction, and monitor progress more closely than commercial coaching centers.

While the primary focus will be on JEE and NDA coaching, the programme may be extended to other competitive exams like NEET or CUET in the future, depending on the pilot's success.

Emphasis on Parental Involvement Through Regular PTMs

Dhanda emphasized the importance of parental involvement in children's education in a parallel move to boost student outcomes. He announced that the state will soon introduce regular Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs) in government schools, similar to those held in private schools.

This change will enable stronger communication between educators and families, providing parents with timely insights into their children’s academic performance and areas needing attention. Regular PTMs are expected to help build a more collaborative learning environment, encourage parental accountability, and foster greater student motivation.

Such a structured approach to parent engagement aligns with modern educational best practices, where learning is increasingly viewed as a shared responsibility between the school and home.

Focus on Holistic Development: Sports and Beyond

Minister Dhanda also touched upon the state's remarkable achievements in sports, asserting that Haryana continues to produce athletes who bring glory to India on international platforms like the Olympics, World Championships, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games.

He pointed out that while academic achievements are prioritized, sports and holistic development remain central to the state’s educational vision. The government plans to integrate sports and academics in a balanced way, ensuring that talented student-athletes are also provided with the academic support they need.

This dual focus nurtures well-rounded individuals and positions Haryana as a national leader in youth development, blending excellence in academics and athletics.

Why This Initiative Matters

Competitive exams like JEE and NDA are known for their rigorous standards and high competition. They often require specialized preparation through coaching centers, which many students in rural and government schools cannot afford. This initiative directly addresses that inequity, offering talented but under-resourced students a chance to compete fairly.

Moreover, this policy reflects a paradigm shift in public education—from providing access to schools to ensuring quality, outcomes, and future readiness.

By identifying meritorious students and supporting their ambitions, the state is investing in individual futures and laying the groundwork for a more skilled, confident, and competitive generation of youth.

What’s Next?

As the Education Department gears up to finalize the pilot's logistics, criteria for student selection, teacher participation, and curriculum design will be key focus areas. Feedback mechanisms, assessment tools, and success metrics will likely be integrated to track performance and scalability.

If the pilot succeeds, it could become a model for other Indian states. Many of these states are grappling with how to provide equitable education opportunities for government school students preparing for national-level exams.

Educators, students, and policy analysts have welcomed the Education Minister's statements. They see this as a much-needed step toward democratizing access to elite career pathways in engineering, defence, and beyond.

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