A heated exchange has erupted between the Union Education Minister and the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu regarding the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday firmly rejected claims made by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, who alleged that the Centre was denying funds to best-performing states under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme for their refusal to implement the NEP 2020. Pradhan accused Stalin of attempting to pit states against each other for political gain, stating that such actions go against the spirit of a unified India and the principles of the Constitution.
Pradhan emphasized that the NEP 2020 was formulated through extensive consultations and reflects the collective wisdom of the Indian people. He challenged Stalin’s stance on the NEP, questioning whether the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister is opposed to education in the mother tongue, including Tamil, conducting exams in Indian languages, or creating textbooks and content in Indian languages. He also inquired about Stalin’s stance on the holistic, multi-disciplinary, equitable, and inclusive framework of the NEP.
Pradhan urged Stalin to prioritize the interests of Tamil Nadu’s students over his political gains and implement the NEP. He highlighted the NEP’s focus on equitable and inclusive education, which aims to benefit all students.
Earlier in the day, Stalin had taken to social media to criticize the Modi government, accusing it of withholding funds from Tamil Nadu due to its refusal to implement the NEP 2020. He lamented the lack of support for high-performing states while those failing to meet educational objectives were being generously rewarded.
