Delhi’s schools witnessed several significant milestones in 2023, with 32 students securing seats at the prestigious National Defence Academy (NDA) and over 100 student-led startups presenting their business ideas at the ”Business Blasters Investment Expo”. However, challenges arose with the deteriorating air quality in the national capital after Diwali, leading to a temporary shutdown of educational institutes for 10 days.
The Delhi government schools also played a vital role by enrolling more than 150 students from violence-affected Manipur, providing them with educational opportunities and support to rebuild their lives. On September 27, the Delhi government’s Shaheed Bhagat Singh Armed Forces Preparatory School (AFPS) achieved a significant feat as 32 students, including nine girls, cleared the NDA exam, marking one of the highest success rates in the country.
Established by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, AFPS focuses on grooming students for careers in the armed forces, with 237 students currently enrolled. In another noteworthy achievement, the ”Business Blasters” program of Delhi government schools saw success in April, as selected students were offered direct admissions to top universities in the capital after presenting their business ideas at the investment expo.
The project, part of the Entrepreneurship Mindset Curriculum (EMC), provides seed money to students to implement business ideas in their communities. However, the schools faced challenges due to Delhi’s worsening air quality after Diwali, prompting the suspension of physical classes for 10 days from November 9 to November 18. This affected underprivileged students who lacked access to online classes.
The winter vacation was also shortened by seven days to compensate for the suspended classes. Additionally, Delhi government schools extended support to students from Manipur who were displaced by ethnic violence, easing their admission process and providing assistance for documentation issues.
While these achievements reflect the resilience and dedication of Delhi’s educational institutions, challenges such as air pollution continue to impact the learning environment, highlighting the need for sustainable solutions to ensure a conducive educational experience for all students in the city.
