Chennai:Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has unveiled the state’s new education policy, reiterating a firm commitment to a two-language formula of English and Tamil, and explicitly rejecting the three-language policy proposed in the Central government’s National Education Policy (NEP). The announcement marks a significant move to assert the state’s educational autonomy and cultural identity.
Speaking at the launch, Chief Minister Stalin stated that the new State Education Policy (SEP) was designed to reflect the “unique character” of Tamil Nadu. He emphasized that the policy’s goal is to create “samathuva kalvi” (education for equality) and “pagutharivu kalvi” (education with rational thought), aiming to foster critical thinking rather than rote memorization. The SEP also prioritizes a push for science, artificial intelligence, and strong English skills to ensure students are globally competitive.
The release of the SEP follows months of friction between the DMK-led state government and the Centre over the NEP, which the ruling party has consistently described as an attempt to impose Hindi and a policy “against social justice.” Tamil Nadu has also alleged that the Centre has withheld over ₹2,000 crore in central funds under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan as a consequence of its refusal to implement the NEP, an issue which the state has taken to the Supreme Court.
The new policy, drafted by a committee headed by retired High Court Judge Justice D. Murugesan, also makes a strong recommendation to scrap common entrance exams for undergraduate courses in arts and science, proposing that admissions be based on consolidated marks from Classes 11 and 12. This stands in direct opposition to the NEP’s push for a uniform entrance system. The new policy reinforces Tamil Nadu’s long-standing position on language and education, a stance that has its roots in decades of anti-Hindi agitations in the state.
