GCC to Hire Private Institutes for Year-Long NEET Coaching in Chennai Schools
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has decided to partner with private coaching institutes to provide year-long National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) preparation for its school students. The initiative follows a pilot program and key feedback gathered during an inspection at a GCC school in Saidapet, marking a shift away from the traditional model of relying on school teachers for exam preparation.
Previously, NEET coaching in Chennai's corporation schools was conducted by regular school teachers after standard school hours. During the inspection in Saidapet last year, students explained to visiting officials that while their school teachers were highly encouraging, very few of them possessed the specialized experience required to prepare students for the competitive medical entrance test. The students requested that the corporation bring in professional coaching institutes instead.
In response, the GCC education department initiated a pilot project. In January, the civic body floated tenders for a 40-day intensive coaching program. Allen Career Institute was selected to run the classes, which officially began in April.
The pilot program successfully trained approximately 260 Class 12 students across three designated centers in North, Central, and South Chennai. The GCC funded the program, paying the private coaching institute Rs 65,000 per student, excluding GST.
Based on the outcome of this pilot, the GCC is now working to establish a continuous, year-long coaching program that starts right at the beginning of the academic term. The civic body is currently preparing to float fresh tenders to select a coaching partner for the 2026-27 academic year.
An official from the GCC education department confirmed that an Expression of Interest has already been floated to several leading private coaching institutes, including Aakash, Narayana, and Allen Career Institute, inviting them to bid for the program. So far, a total of 186 Class 12 students have expressed their willingness to enroll in the 2026-27 coaching batch.
