CHENNAI: Clean campuses, modernisation of Tamil Nadu govt residential schools, revamped curriculum with focus on AI and robotics, and anti-drug clubs are among the impetus to the school education department, which gets a budget allocation of Rs 44527 crore for 2025-26. Announcing a slew of schemes on the floor of the assembly, finance Marie Wilson on Wednesday said that the primary focus of the govt was to ensure a clean campus for all its students.In pursuit of this, a ‘Super Clean Super Campus’ scheme will be implemented at a cost of ₹139 crore across the state. As many as 10,000 govt schools will get upgraded water and toilet facilities and 24-hour security in the first phase under the initiative.Further, to modernise govt schools and upgrade existing infrastructure, a ‘Palli Pirivu Thittam’ will be introduced at a cost of Rs 2,132 crore, covering 3,734 schools in the first phase — 2,514 primary, 365 middle, and 855 high/higher secondary schools.To ease commuting for Class XI students of aided and govt schools, the govt will also provide modern, branded bicycles equipped with helmets and water bottles from the current academic year. Around 5.32 lakh students are set to benefit from the scheme “An estimated amount of ₹277 crore is allocated towards this scheme. Our chief minister, who is deeply loved by Gen-Z, is committed to nurturing them,” he added.Further, to raise awareness against drug use, the govt has developed the ‘Drug-Free TN’ application to help students and teachers report instances of drug use. “Anti-drug clubs and student volunteer groups have already been formed in schools. Additionally, the 10581helpline number will be prominently displayed on all school campuses,” he added.The FM said the govt would launch ‘Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Schools of Excellence’ for students of classes IX -XII at a cost of Rs 125 crore. These schools will function as modern residential institutions, where food, boarding facilities, textbooks and uniforms will be provided free of cost to all students.The govt will also extend the TN Spark scheme — launched in 2024 to take artificial intelligence and robotics lessons to govt schools — to 2,200 more govt schools. At present, 5,000 schools are already benefiting under the scheme.