TN SEP: Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin calls for education to be moved back to state list

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin has urged that education be moved back to the State List, instead of remaining under the control of both Centre and states as part of the Concurrent List. His comments came during the launch of the State Education Policy (SEP) by the DMK-led state government.

Speaking at the Anna Centenary Library Auditorium, Stalin supported Tamil Nadu’s decision to reject the National Education Policy (NEP) proposed by the Central Government. “Education was once in the state list, then changed to the concurrent list. It should be brought back to the state list again,” he said.

He described the SEP launch as a proud moment for the state and took aim at the Union government’s approach to education. “I feel proud today when our CM released the state education policy. This is an educational and knowledge festival today. TN is creating history now. Our Tamils were given education in the Sangam era, but it was denied in the middle. Not only then, but now too, efforts are made to destroy our education,” he said.

The Deputy CM referred to the Kula Kalvi Scheme (Modified Scheme of Elementary Education), which was criticised and opposed by social reformer Periyar in the past. He suggested that the NEP mirrors that old model, which was once withdrawn after strong protests.

“Kuka Kalvi scheme (Modified Scheme of Elementary Education) was opposed by our leader Periyar, and protests were done, and then that scheme was dropped. Now, the Union government is trying to impose the Kuka Kalvi scheme through the NEP. It's our CM who said firmly and boldly that we will not accept NEP and we will have our own SEP,” Stalin stated.

Supports CM’s stand on language policy

Stalin also praised Chief Minister M. K. Stalin for opposing the three-language policy recommended under the NEP, and for standing firm on Tamil Nadu’s two-language system.

“The Union minister said you should implement a new education policy and triple language in our education, or else no funds will be released to the state. But our CM opposed it and stood firm on double language,” he added.

This announcement follows months of opposition by the Tamil Nadu government to the National Education Policy, which the DMK claims is an attempt to impose Hindi and is “against social justice”.

The state has refused to implement NEP, choosing instead to create its own education framework under the SEP.

With ANI inputs