NEP Row Pradhan Urges Stalin to Rise Above Politics

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin to rise above political differences and focus on the interests of students in the ongoing debate over the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. His remarks came after Stalin wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, strongly opposing the integration of two centrally sponsored education programs Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and PM SHRI Schools with the NEP.

Pradhan Response to Stalin’s Opposition

In his letter, Pradhan emphasized that continued resistance to NEP 2020 for political reasons is depriving students, teachers, and educational institutions in Tamil Nadu of the immense opportunities and resources provided by the policy. He reiterated that NEP 2020 has been designed to be flexible, allowing states to adapt its implementation based on their specific educational needs.

“The opposition to NEP 2020 for purely political reasons is unfair to Tamil Nadu’s students and teachers. Many non-BJP-ruled states have implemented progressive policies under NEP despite political differences. The policy aims to expand educational opportunities, not restrict them,” Pradhan stated.

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Stalin’s Objection to NEP Implementation

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, in his letter to PM Modi, called the linkage of SSA and PM SHRI Schools with NEP fundamentally unacceptable. The Tamil Nadu government has consistently opposed NEP 2020, arguing that it undermines the state’s autonomy in education policy and promotes a uniform national structure that does not align with Tamil Nadu’s distinct educational framework.

The DMK government has instead proposed its own State Education Policy, tailoring it to Tamil Nadu’s students and emphasizing regional priorities over the national framework in NEP 2020.

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Pradhan Defends NEP’s Vision

Responding to Stalin’s concerns, Pradhan clarified that NEP 2020 naturally aligns with centrally supported schemes like SSA, which aim to enhance foundational education. He also stated that PM SHRI schools serve as ‘NEP exemplar schools,’ showcasing the best practices under the policy.

“NEP 2020 is a visionary document that provides room for customization. This policy is not rigid but progressive, allowing states to adapt it to local needs. Non-BJP-ruled states have successfully implemented various aspects of NEP, which proves it has no political agenda, he added.

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Cooperative Federalism Debate

Pradhan also criticized Stalin’s letter to the Prime Minister, calling it a complete negation of the spirit of cooperative federalism promoted by the Modi government. He stressed that education is a concurrent subject, and both the Centre and states must collaborate to ensure the best outcomes for students rather than engaging in political disputes.

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Political Implications

This exchange of letters highlights the ongoing friction between the BJP-led central government and the DMK-ruled Tamil Nadu government over education policy. Tamil Nadu has been one of the most vocal opponents of NEP 2020, arguing that it imposes a centralised approach that does not cater to the linguistic and academic diversity of the state.

As the DMK government pushes for its own education policy and the Centre asserts that NEP 2020 allows flexibility for state-level adaptation, the debate over education reform in Tamil Nadu will likely continue. The issue may also play a significant role in upcoming political narratives, especially with elections on the horizon.

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