Chennai: The tribal welfare department recorded a 96.7% pass percentage in the Class X board examinations, surpassing the performance of government schools as well as those run by the adi dravidar welfare department, social welfare department and Greater Chennai Corporation.Of the 2,245 students who appeared for the exam, 2,170 passed, marking a 3% increase over the 2025 pass percentage. Attendance and pass percentage were the same for both boys and girls. Of the 67 tribal welfare schools, 44 recorded a 100% pass rate.D. Vijayan, headmaster of Government Tribal Residential Higher Secondary School, Karumandhurai, Salem, said most students came from illiterate families and went on to become first-generation graduates. “They change the future of their families,” he said.He said the department ensured that families did not have to spend on their children’s education. “Everything — from notebooks and food to transport and college application fees — is covered by the department. We have also held awareness programmes for parents who are hesitant to send their children to school or college,” he said.Around 1,500 teachers across the State worked to improve the results, said tribal welfare department director S Annadurai. “Students’ hard work and the teachers’ dedication have yielded good results. Teachers identified areas where students needed more support. Special attention was given based on student profiles and previous performance,” he said.He added that special training camps were conducted for teachers to help them support students better. “We have increased review meetings fivefold compared with the previous year,” he said.In the Class 12 public examinations too, tribal welfare schools recorded a 97% pass rate, up from 95% in 2025.Last year, a student from one of the schools, A. Rajeshwari, became the first student from a tribal community to gain admission to IIT. “More than 200 students entered top colleges across the country last year. This year, our goal is to increase that number to 500,” Annadurai said.
