Tamil Nadu's Education Policy Shift
Lakshmana Venkat Kuchi
In a significant decision that may provoke a strong response from the Central government, Tamil Nadu has officially excluded Hindi from its New Education Policy (NEP) announced on Friday. The state has reaffirmed its commitment to a two-language system in government schools, focusing exclusively on Tamil and English, reminiscent of the policy established in the 1960s.
The newly introduced State NEP diverges notably from the national framework that the state assembly has opted not to adopt. Chief Minister MK Stalin unveiled this policy in Chennai, also abolishing the Class XI board examinations, a requirement instituted by the previous AIADMK administration. The rationale behind the earlier mandate was to ensure students remained engaged with their Class XI curriculum.
Currently, the state government has not released its education policy for higher education nor provided a clear plan for its implementation. The State Education Policy for Schools is based on the recommendations from the Justice D Murugesan Committee.
The state’s commitment to a two-language policy, in contrast to the three-language framework proposed by the National Education Policy, reflects its determination to assert authority over state governance and educational matters. Stalin emphasized that the two-language policy, established in 1968, is a fundamental principle that cannot be compromised.
It is noteworthy that the central government had previously withheld educational funding to Tamil Nadu under the Shiksha Scheme, citing non-compliance with NEP requirements. This issue is currently pending in the Supreme Court.
Stalin stated that the state’s NEP is tailored to reflect Tamil Nadu’s distinct characteristics and aims to equip students for future challenges. The policy emphasizes critical thinking over rote memorization.
Regarding the elimination of the Class XI public examination, Stalin explained that this year should serve as a preparatory phase. The focus will shift towards enhancing subjects, developing skills, and ensuring academic readiness through competency-based assessments.
“This strategy will alleviate exam-related stress, foster a deeper understanding of subjects, and better prepare students for the Class 12 Board Examination, while promoting a balanced and student-friendly evaluation system throughout the higher secondary stage,” the policy outlines.
Interestingly, Tamil Nadu has reported double-digit economic growth, as indicated by statistics from the central government, establishing itself as the leading manufacturing state in India, suggesting that the economic policies of the state government are yielding positive results.
