The Jharkhand government’s CM Schools of Excellence initiative is transforming the educational landscape by providing underprivileged students with world-class facilities comparable to private institutions. Launched on May 2, 2023, the project aims to empower students from economically weaker backgrounds with quality English-medium education, bridging the gap between government and private schools in the state.
Anjali Singh, a student at the CM School of Excellence in Bariatu, Ranchi, exemplifies the success of the program. Fluent in English and benefiting from modern amenities such as smart classrooms, science labs, libraries, and digital resources, Anjali shares, “I like this school because it has several modern facilities like smart boards, games, and labs for physics, biology, and chemistry that are very helpful for us”.
She is one of the thousands of students across 80 Schools of Excellence currently operating in Jharkhand. These schools offer an enriched learning experience, ensuring that students who cannot afford the high fees of private schools still receive top-notch education.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, speaking at a program in Dhanbad on September 30, emphasized the government's commitment to enhancing the state's education system. “The children from government schools were unable to compete with students from private schools. But now, our government is making government schools better than private ones,” said CM Soren. He announced plans to increase the number of such model schools from 80 to 5,000, ensuring broader access to quality education for underprivileged children.
The Schools of Excellence not only focus on academic achievements but also foster a vibrant environment for extracurricular activities, including sports and cultural programs that encourage creativity and teamwork. Siddhi Vinayak, another student at the Bariatu school, highlighted the modern teaching methods, saying, “Our teachers teach us very nicely by showing videos, and we also have gaming periods, a library, and many other facilities”.
Deepak Kumar, the Principal of the CM School of Excellence, Bariatu, emphasized the school’s mission, stating, “The concept of this school is to support children who cannot afford private education. This school has well-built infrastructure, with facilities like labs, a library, and games available”.
In a further push to prepare students for future opportunities, the Jharkhand government is planning to introduce vocational education in 11 trades, including agriculture, IT, automotive, tourism, and healthcare. This initiative will equip students with practical skills that make them workforce-ready and open up career paths in various sectors.
The CM Schools of Excellence project continues to play a pivotal role in uplifting underprivileged students and ensuring they are prepared for academic and professional success.
