New Delhi: Delhi will provide free coaching to students of government schools for entrance exams like NEET and JEE. The scheme was announced by Delhi deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Wednesday.
The Directorate of Education (DoE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 'Avanti Fellows' to prepare students who are willing to make their career in the field of engineering, medical and other technical fields, PTI reported.
Sisodia said 6,000 children of classes 11-12 selected from Delhi government schools would be provided free coaching in the first year.
"They will be provided free coaching for the preparation of various entrance examinations, through test series, necessary academic support for these examinations and regular mentoring during preparation," PTI quoted Sisodia as saying.
"Earlier, this free coaching program was introduced in a few schools, on a pilot basis, and the results were excellent. More than 160 girls from SC and ST categories are getting free coaching for NEET by experts, under this programme," he further said.
Sisodia, who is also the Delhi education minister, said even though many children dream of becoming doctors and engineers, their parents are not able to afford expensive coachings.
"Now this picture is set to change in Delhi. With this step of the government, thousands of future doctors-engineers, scientists, STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) experts, among others, will now be prepared in the government schools of Delhi, who will make India proud globally," he said.
Currently, more than 30,000 students are enrolled in science stream across all Delhi government schools.
"The free test preparation programme will help these students get admission in top graduate programs and diploma courses in STEM-based fields, engineering, MBBS/BDS, pharmacy, nursing, paramedical courses and research programs, and promote STEM education," the minister said.
(With PTI inputs)