Tamil Nadu Unveils State Education Policy, Retains Two-Language System, Rejects NEP

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday formally unveiled the State Education Policy (SEP), crafted as a state-specific alternative to the National Education Policy (NEP). The announcement took place at the Anna Centenary Library Auditorium in Kotturpuram, marking the culmination of over a year’s work by a 14-member committee led by retired Justice Murugesan.

The policy reaffirms Tamil Nadu’s two-language system, rejects NEP’s three-language formula, and outlines student-friendly reforms aimed at promoting inclusivity, science, and technology education.

Key Features of the Tamil Nadu State Education Policy

1. Two-Language Policy Maintained

• Tamil Nadu will continue with its two-language system.
• All students up to Class 10, across boards including CBSE and ICSE, will study Tamil.
• Rejects NEP’s push for three languages.

2. UG Admissions Without Common Entrance Test

• Undergraduate admissions for arts and science courses will be based on combined marks from Class 11 and 12.
• No common entrance examination for these courses.

3. Opposition to Public Exams in Lower Classes

• Rejects NEP’s proposal for public exams in Classes 3, 5, and 8.
• Cites concerns about higher dropout rates, commercialisation, and impact on social justice.

4. Push for Science, AI, and English

• Major emphasis on science education, artificial intelligence, and English proficiency.
• Substantial investment planned for state-run educational institutions.

5. State Control Over Education

• Recommends moving education from the concurrent list back to the state list to strengthen state autonomy.

Funding Dispute with the Centre

The SEP launch comes amid an ongoing standoff between Tamil Nadu and the Union Government over education funding,

• Tamil Nadu claims the Centre has withheld ₹2,152 crore under the Samagra Shiksha scheme for not implementing NEP.
• Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has linked fund release to the state’s adoption of NEET and certain NEP provisions.