AI Generated Summary
- In a move aimed at widening access to competitive examination preparation, Punjab has introduced free, structured coaching for JEE and NEET aspirants studying in the state’s 118 Schools of Eminence and 14 Meritorious Schools under the Punjab Academic Coaching for Excellence (PACE) programme.
- Sushant, a Class XI student at the School of Eminence on Ladowali Road in Jalandhar, who aspires to join the National Defence Academy, said the classes were helping him strengthen Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
- By integrating competitive examination preparation with regular government schooling, Punjab is seeking to narrow a long-standing gap between students who can afford specialised coaching and those who cannot, while giving aspirants an opportunity to begin preparing for engineering and medical entrance examinations without having to step outside the public education system.
Specialised classes reach students across Schools of Eminence and Meritorious Schools; programme also brings foundation coaching to Classes IX and X
In a move aimed at widening access to competitive examination preparation, Punjab has introduced free, structured coaching for JEE and NEET aspirants studying in the state’s 118 Schools of Eminence and 14 Meritorious Schools under the Punjab Academic Coaching for Excellence (PACE) programme.
The initiative seeks to provide government school students with specialised preparation that would otherwise require substantial expenditure on private coaching. With private JEE and NEET coaching often costing between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 3 lakh, the programme is expected to particularly benefit students from families for whom such expenditure is difficult to afford.
Specialised coaching sessions began on July 22 and are being conducted by faculty from Physics Wallah during regular school hours. Science students of Classes XI and XII attend classes from 8 am to 11.40 am, with instruction covering Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology.
The state has also widened the scope of the programme this academic session by bringing students of Classes IX and X under its ambit. Younger students are being offered foundation courses in Mathematics and Science, with the objective of strengthening concepts well before they enter the senior secondary stage.
PACE was launched in October 2024 by the Punjab School Education Department in collaboration with the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and Mantra for Change. While the programme initially focused on Classes XI and XII, its expansion is intended to create a longer academic pathway for students aspiring to national-level competitive examinations.
Giridhar Singh, programme lead at Mantra for Change, said the inclusion of Classes IX and X would help build stronger foundations while gradually preparing students for competitive examinations at the national level.
Technology forms a significant part of the coaching model. Students receive individual login credentials for the Physics Wallah app, through which they can access schedules, course material and recorded lectures. During live sessions, students can seek clarifications using interactive classroom panels and microphones, while recordings allow those who miss a session to catch up later.
For many students, the availability of such coaching within their schools has reduced dependence on expensive private institutes.
Sushant, a Class XI student at the School of Eminence on Ladowali Road in Jalandhar, who aspires to join the National Defence Academy, said the classes were helping him strengthen Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. He said the free coaching had made quality preparation far more accessible compared with costly private alternatives.
Class XII non-medical student Tanu Kumari said the programme had also made preparing for JEE appear more manageable. Aspiring to become a software engineer, she said the teachers’ simple approach to explaining difficult concepts was helping students strengthen their fundamentals and gain confidence in tackling the syllabus.
The academic support extends beyond regular classroom sessions. Weekly tests are conducted using sample papers that incorporate questions based on the pattern of JEE Main and JEE Advanced examinations. Students can also access doubt-clearing support between 6 pm and midnight and interact with teachers through phone and video calls using the app.
The state government is simultaneously putting in place a monitoring mechanism to ensure that the digital coaching infrastructure functions effectively across participating schools.
District Education Officer (Secondary) Gurinderjeet Kaur said a directive issued on August 25 requires district education officials to regularly visit schools and review the functioning of the programme. The inspections will cover digital infrastructure and equipment as well as student attendance and the regularity of classes.
The present arrangement is expected to remain in place for two years. Education officials said its continuation beyond that period could be considered after assessing the programme’s performance and outcomes.
By integrating competitive examination preparation with regular government schooling, Punjab is seeking to narrow a long-standing gap between students who can afford specialised coaching and those who cannot, while giving aspirants an opportunity to begin preparing for engineering and medical entrance examinations without having to step outside the public education system.
