State-run schools of excellence find many takers

Ranchi: In all, 39,719 applications have been submitted against 11,986 seats available across 80 Schools of Excellence (SoE), a novel experiment of the state to improve the standard of education in government schools. Inaugurated on May 2, the schools are affiliated to Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the candidates will be instructed in English. The deadline for application initially set for May 17 was extended till May 25. Majority of applications have been submitted in Deoghar followed by Palamu, Ranchi, Lohardaga, and Saraikela-Kharsawan. Simdega and Bokaro have got the lowest number of applications. Ranchi has received 2,674 applications against the available seats of 1110.Education secretary K Ravi Kumar said, "For the first time, significant efforts are being made to improve the quality of education in government schools so that they are on par with private institutions in the state. SOE will be equipped with integrated STEM labs, digital smart classes, robust IT infrastructure and national-level sports training will be provided to the students." The National Centre for School Leadership has provided a two-phased online training to the principals of the 80 schools. Students will be imparted vocational training in eleven trades, including agriculture, information technology (IT) and information technology enabled services (ITeS), apparel and makeup and home furnishing, media and entertainment, automotive, tourism and hospitality, beauty and wellness, multi-skilling, electronics and hardware, retail, and healthcare.The entrance examination will take place on May 30 and the initial merit list will be made public on June 7. Enrollment will begin on June 12 based on the merit list.
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