Education Jobs
oi-Swastika Sruti
The Sikkim Chief Minister, Mr Prem Singh Tamang, made this announcement on Saturday as he launched the CM-SAATHI scheme that is meant to help poor students in preparing for the JEE and NEET entrance tests.
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang launched the CM-SAATHI scheme in Gangtok on Saturday, offering free two-month JEE and NEET coaching crash courses in collaboration with IIT Kanpur to help underprivileged students.
This scheme was unveiled on Teachers’ Day during a program held in Gangtok. It is a joint venture between the IIT Kanpur and will include a two-month crash course for select students.
CM-SAATHI To Provide Free JEE, NEET Coaching
The proposal for CM-SAATHI was given approval by the state Cabinet on Friday, Tamang said. According to the chief minister, there are a lot of students in Sikkim who aspire to take competitive examinations like JEE and NEET but do not have money to join the coaching centers.
It is hoped that the new scheme will help to eliminate the financial barrier as the eligible candidates will be provided with coaching without the high cost of fees.
During the two-month crash course, the students will get coached in order to crack the entrance examinations.
Tamang Says Education Is An Investment
Speaking at the Teachers’ Day event, Tamang said his government views education as an investment in Sikkim’s future rather than simply an expenditure.
He highlighted the state’s allocation of around 15 per cent of its total expenditure to education during 2025-26, saying the investment reflects the government’s aim of developing Sikkim into an education hub.
Tamang, who was a teacher before entering politics, also praised teachers for their role in shaping students and acknowledged their dedication and contribution to society.
Sikkim Declared Fully Literate State
The chief minister also highlighted Sikkim’s recent progress in education.
Sikkim was declared a Fully Literate State on May 27, 2026, a milestone Tamang described as an important achievement in the state’s education journey.
The government is now looking to build on this progress by improving the quality and accessibility of education, particularly for students who face financial difficulties.
New Life Skills Curriculum Planned
Alongside academic education, the Sikkim government is also working on a Sikkim Life Skills Curriculum. The proposed curriculum will teach students practical skills that can be useful during emergencies.
These include:
- CPR and basic life-saving techniques
- First aid
- Fire safety
- Disaster preparedness
Tamang stressed the importance of such training because of Sikkim’s location in the Himalayan region, which is vulnerable to earthquakes and other natural disasters.
He said students should know how to respond during emergencies, protect themselves and assist others when necessary.
Government Aims To Reduce Need To Leave Sikkim For Education
In addition to the above, the chief minister also highlighted the state’s vision for its education sector.
As mentioned by Tamang, Sikkim has enough infrastructure in the form of education and the government is committed to ensuring that the students of the state do not have to migrate out of Sikkim due to lack of good education in their own state.
This is something that the government plans to accomplish by the year 2035, while simultaneously trying to attract students from other parts of India as well.
The emphasis here is on making the education system inclusive and future-ready.
