Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin announced that donations to the 'Namma School; Namma Ooru Palli (NSNOP)' initiative for the development of government schools have crossed Rs 1,000 crore.

Launched by the Chief Minister with an initial personal contribution of Rs 5 lakh, the scheme aims to upgrade infrastructure in state-run schools through public participation. Stalin said the project has helped establish thousands of STEM laboratories, smart classrooms, modern toilets, and skill training facilities across Tamil Nadu.

Expressing gratitude, he thanked 885 institutions and over 1,500 individual donors for their contributions and praised School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi and trust chairman Venu Srinivasan for maintaining transparency in fund utilisation.

A statement from the School Education Department clarified that there is no compulsion to donate under the scheme and no government officials or teachers are authorised to collect funds directly. School requirements are listed on a mobile app for voluntary contributions through school management committees, it said.

The department also noted that budget allocation for school education has risen by 43.5 per cent in the last four years, underscoring the state's commitment to strengthening public education.