Thiruvananthapuram Collector's Super 100 Transforms STEM Education for Underprivileged Girls

By: WE staff | Friday, 4 April 2025

• The Super-100 programme encourages STEM education for girls from disadvantaged backgrounds
• The programme supports students from tribal and coastal villages in Thiruvananthapuram
• The programme is transformational for talented girls from low-income backgrounds

Thiruvananthapuram district collector's Super-100 Programme is empowering talented girls in tribal and coastal villages who are from underprivileged backgrounds through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education with additional tuition and preparatory classes, to support Results in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) or for attendance to Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) or Kerala Engineering Architecture Medical (KEAM) or other entrance examination for underprivileged women.

The Super-100 project presents a terrific opportunity for students from underserved communities in the district to receive some quality education and to have a more promising future in STEM careers.  District Collector Anu Kumari, a supporter of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme, has shared that she is pleased to see the project implemented and is pleased after seeing the success with students and their educational performance and quality of life. 

During the 2023-2024 academic year, 44 students were enrolled in engineering, medicine, nursing, pure sciences, and a variety of other areas. At present there are 83 students in training, and additional students may be involved in 2025-26 via the entrance exam.  In the most recent two calendar years, 500 students completed their entrance exam. 

The students include all years in Classes IX to XII, and the program assures that all students participating in Class IX will receive a structured four years of training. A typical training cohort is 25 students, and complete a structured four -stage training phase, which is organized with diary academic support, psychological counseling, exposure visits and life-skills training intended to bridge learning related gaps and grow the capacity and potential of students to pursue STEM careers.

The Super-100 project is more than a program; it’s a movement, designed to empower girls and promote inclusive education in the district, stated the District Collector Anu Kumari. Students receive specialized training through the school camps and partnerships with Xylem Entrance Coaching Education Academy, Zephyr Entrance Coaching Institution, and Brilliant Study Centre, reported Kanal Innovations Director Anson PD Alexander.

The process includes buddy mentoring, home visits, and individual counseling, and is offered to all students to provide personal attention to students. "Considered initiatives by design to support and promote academic and social challenges, the program can create a light of hope and a step forward to see how education can bring change along with support from the community," Anson continued.

Parents have also spoken positively about the initiative. "My daughter joined the program in Class X and has succeeded in her studies since then. Currently, preparing for NEET, she is going to be a doctor," said Deepa S, parent of Midhula DM, a tribal student from Aryanad. Implemented by Kanal Innovations, the Super-100 project is consistent with Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and is funded by the Women and Child Development Department and CSR support from Cochin Shipyard Ltd, HLL Lifecare Ltd, and Trenser Technology Solutions.