Students across government schools in the Capital can aim higher now and there are equal opportunities available to them as in private schools, said Chief Minister Atishi in Delhi Friday. She was interacting with 30 students from around 40 government schools who attended an advanced French course in Paris.
The initiative, held in collaboration with the French Embassy in India, saw students from classes X to XII attend the programme at Alliance Francaise in the French capital from November 4-15.
“It’s a matter of pride that our government school students are speaking remarkably in French, a dream we saw years ago is now unfolding before our eyes… Today, students from our schools are proving to Delhi and the entire country that they are second to none,” Atishi was quoted in an official statement after her interaction at Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya in West Vinod Nagar.
According to the officials, the programme also included living with host families and visiting prominent sites such as the Eiffel Tower and Disneyland.
Hailing the move, AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal shared on X, “Even children from poor families today in Delhi are studying in our government schools and speaking fluent English and French. This is nothing less than a miracle. With every vote that the AAP receives, doors to a bright future are opening for these children, and their dreams are taking flight.”
Former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said, “While I know not all schools are as advanced, many have significantly improved in the last 5-7 years. Despite limited resources and political challenges—including being sent to jail—we never stopped.”
Parents and students also hailed the initiative. “We had never heard of government school children studying abroad. When we received a message from the school about making a passport, we were both surprised and overjoyed. It was beyond anything we could have dreamed of for our children,” a parent said.
Students shared that the initiative helped in building confidence, fulfilling dreams and learning new cultures. “We could just walk around and learn from the streets. This experience has helped us believe in ourselves more, not just as students but as individuals.”
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