Tamil Nadu's 'Thoothuvar' Initiative Enlists Eminent Alumni to Mentor Government School Students
In a significant move to bolster educational outcomes, the Tamil Nadu government has launched the 'Thoothuvar' initiative, appointing distinguished alumni from state-run government schools as ambassadors. This program aims to inspire and guide current students through direct mentorship and collaborative school development efforts.
Prominent Personalities Leading the Charge
The initiative features an impressive roster of ambassadors, including ISRO chief V Narayanan, renowned scientist Mylsamy Annadurai, successful entrepreneur K T Srinivasa Raja, and acclaimed film director Mari Selvaraj. These individuals, who once studied in Tamil Nadu's government schools, will now return to their alma maters to share their experiences and insights.
Their involvement is expected to provide students with real-world role models, demonstrating that great achievements are attainable regardless of one's educational background. By recounting their personal journeys, these ambassadors hope to ignite ambition and resilience among the youth.
Expanding the 'Vizhudhugal' Programme
'Thoothuvar' serves as an extension of the state's existing 'Vizhudhugal' programme, which focuses on engaging alumni to support students and enhance school enrolment rates. Under this new initiative, ambassadors will undertake regular visits to their former schools to mentor pupils and collaborate with School Management Committees (SMCs) on development projects.
School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi emphasized the broader impact of this effort during the launch event. He stated, "Your presence in schools will inspire students to reach great heights. Your speeches will not only reach students of a particular school but will travel across Tamil Nadu and help every government school student aspire for greatness."
Strategic Implementation and Mobile App Launch
To streamline the connection between alumni and schools, the government has introduced a dedicated mobile application. This app facilitates the involvement of eminent alumni who are eager to contribute to their schools' growth and development.
The selection process for ambassadors was meticulous. In August 2025, the School Education Department initiated plans to strengthen alumni networks across more than 8,000 government schools, reaching out to notable personalities. Applications were carefully filtered by the respective SMCs to ensure the most suitable candidates were chosen.
School Education Secretary B Chandramohan explained the rationale behind the selection, noting, "Alumni have been working and contributing to schools' development. 'Thoothuvar' takes that engagement further. After filtering them, we appointed alumni who have achieved substantial success and have the drive to give back to society."
Comprehensive Role of Ambassadors
The ambassadors' responsibilities are multifaceted and designed to create a lasting impact:
- Mentorship and Motivation: Sharing life experiences and career insights to boost students' morale and aspirations.
- School Development: Working with SMCs to assess and address specific needs for infrastructure and resources.
- Resource Building: Contributing to the enhancement of educational materials and facilities.
This holistic approach ensures that students receive not only inspirational guidance but also practical support to improve their learning environments.
Launch Event and Infrastructure Boost
The official launch of the 'Thoothuvar' initiative took place at the Government Girls Higher Secondary School in Ashok Nagar, Chennai. On this occasion, Minister Poyyamozhi inaugurated a new building equipped with 40 classrooms, symbolizing the government's commitment to upgrading school infrastructure alongside alumni engagement.
This event marked a pivotal step in Tamil Nadu's educational strategy, combining human capital with physical resources to foster a more conducive learning atmosphere for all government school students.
