The Haryana Super-100 campus at Barna village in Kurukshetra is transforming the lives of meritorious students from economically weaker sections and reserved categories. These students, who might otherwise lack access to quality coaching, are now achieving their dreams.
About the Scheme
Launched in 2018 as a collaboration between the Haryana Education Department and the Vikalp Foundation, the Haryana Super-100 scheme offers free coaching, education, and residential facilities for Class XI and XII government school students preparing for JEE (engineering) and NEET (medical) entrance exams. Students are selected through a test.
So far, over 300 students coached under this scheme have gained admission to IITs, IIITs, NITs, AIIMS, and other prestigious government medical colleges. In the recent JEE Advanced results, 100 out of 226 students from the scheme qualified. Currently, 800 students are enrolled at the centre.
The Driving Force
Naveen Mishra (48), an IIT-Delhi alumnus and president of Vikalp Foundation, is the driving force behind the programme. Hailing from a humble background in Madhubani, Bihar, Mishra experienced the struggles of students from underprivileged families. After reaching the UPSC interview stage twice, he decided to dedicate himself to educational upliftment.
Mishra was a founding member of the Aam Aadmi Party but left due to internal conflicts. He started Vikalp Foundation and began teaching children in parks at Rewari in 2013. As the number of students grew, the Rewari district administration provided space at Bal Bhawan. By 2017, he was working with the Rewari administration.
In 2018, Mishra proposed teaching 100 government school students, outlining an annual cost of Rs 1.35 crore. The Education Department asked him to show at least Rs 35 lakh in his account. With help from friends and teachers, he collected the amount, and the Super-100 was launched. Mishra still teaches physics, chemistry, and mathematics.
Challenges and Achievements
The primary objective is to empower meritorious government school students to succeed in national-level exams by providing quality education, guidance, and a healthy academic environment. However, the centre faced false complaints and was moved to Kurukshetra in 2023.
Students initially struggle with the higher level of studies, limited family contact (mobiles are not allowed), and restricted access to the outside world. Some leave, but dedicated students fulfill their dreams. Besides classes, students engage in music, drama, gardening, and sports.
Mishra says, "The programme gives confidence to children of farmers, labourers, auto drivers, barbers, and others to achieve their potential and crack JEE Advanced and NEET."
Student Stories
Garima, whose father runs a barber shop in Fatehabad, and Priya, whose father is an accountant, are preparing for JEE. They believe Super-100 will change their lives. Neha Lata from Hisar, whose father works in a private firm, and Mehak from Karnal, whose father is a labourer, see Super-100 as a way to support their families. Vinay, a bee farmer's son from Hisar, aims to clear NEET as his family cannot afford private coaching.
Two alumnae of the first batch, Anju from Rohtak (IIT-Kharagpur) and Ritu from Panchkula (IIT-Indore), have returned to teach chemistry and physics at Super-100, wanting to give back.
Future Outlook
Mishra highlights the challenge of changing mindsets of parents and students. "The foundation of government school students is weak, especially in mathematics. The first few weeks are spent improving basics." He believes students need more years of preparation, as private school students start from classes 6 or 7, while Super-100 students start from Class XI.
The state government has increased seats from 400 to 500. Mishra is confident that with more serious monitoring, children from humble backgrounds can do wonders. Rajan Gundal, an IIT-Delhi and IIM-Lucknow alumnus, plays a key role in the foundation and finds satisfaction in seeing students succeed.
