Thoothukudi’s first government model school students shine in national level 1 entrance exams

Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, 10/05/2025: District collector K. Ellambahavath interacts with students on Saturday at Vallanadu’s government model school in Thoothukudi district. Photo: Handout | Photo source: Handout

The first batch of government model schools from the Thoothukudi District Vallanadu cleared the various national entrance exams conducted so far in the 2025-26 academic year. 74 students from this pioneering batch are ambitiously committed to ensuring seats in prestigious institutions across the country.

Many students are waiting for consultation, while others begin the admission process and continue to try other exams to explore the best options for higher education.

Thoothukudi’s Government Model School opened in 2023. All 74 students who attended Level XI have now successfully completed their high school education, some of whom have even received admission before the public exam. It is worth noting that students S. Abivarshini and Je Srither received seats at Azim Premji University in Bangalore.

Je Srither, who chose to pursue a bachelor’s degree in physics theory, has taken the exam in December, cleared the interview in January, and won a seat in February.

“My father was a daily salary painter, and studying at a major institution like this seems unimaginable. But the model school makes it easy. They provide accommodation, food and all the necessary facilities. All we have to do is learn.”

“I was selected as a fully funded scholarship that will take care of accommodation, food and provide laptops for education,” he said.

Similarly, four students (Senior) have been selected from the school. A. Balamurugan is one of the selected students from the school, from a humble background. His mother Vallimmal is a daily wage worker. Balamurugan said his mother was not even aware of the existing entrance exams and institutions, adding that he was eager to clear the UPSC exams after completing his undergraduate studies.

In addition, students are also selected for the NIFT, Indian Institute of Tourism and Tourism Management, Common Law Admission Test, National Ability Test for Architecture, Indian Culinary Institute and Undergraduate Design in IIT-Bombay.

The school principal Ganjennthiran said that in addition to these courses, students have taken other entrance exams and are still applying for more exams, including the All India Forensic Science Admissions Examination. He added that along with students, teachers are also constantly trained in the current syllabus and national courses to guide students in their career choices.

Thoothukudi regional collector K. Elambahavath said students are doing well on the path they choose, whether it is engineering, medicine, law or other streams. “The biggest challenge is to convince parents to admit their children to enter modeling schools after government selection,” he said.

He said the campus offers excellent facilities including quality food, reference materials and 24×7 internet facilities.