AnyTV News Dharmendra Pradhan said - I persuaded the statement given in Parliament, asked the sharp question to CM Stalin

Image Source: PTI
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin to prioritize the interests of the children of Tamil Nadu more than political gains amid the ongoing controversy over the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP). The Union Minister wrote on the social media platform X, “Yesterday DMK MPs and Chief Minister Stalin accused me of misleading Parliament about the consent of Tamil Nadu for the establishment of PM Shri schools. I stand on my statement given in Parliament and shares the Tamil Nadu School Education Department’s consent letter on 15 March 2024. ”

The Union Education Minister asked- Why this change suddenly in the attitude on NEP?

He said, “DMK MPs and Honorable CM can put a pile of lies as much as you want, but when the truth comes out, he cannot suppress it. The DMK government led by CM Stalin has to answer a lot to the people of Tamil Nadu. Rushing as a strategy to divert attention to the language issue and deny the facts as per your convenience will not save their rule. “The Education Minister further said,” Why this change in the stance on NEP suddenly? Certainly to revive political interests and DMK’s political fate. This regressive politics of DMK is a huge loss for the bright future of Tamil Nadu and its students. I make a humble request to the Honorable Chief Minister not to look at NEP 2020 from a political perspective. Please prioritize the interests of the children of Tamil Nadu more than political gains. ”

‘NEP 2020 opposed to political gains’

The Union Education Minister wrote, “The DMK’s fresh noise on imposition of language and NEP’s Trishag formula exposes his hipocracy.” The opposition to NEP 2020 is not related to the conservation of Tamil pride, language and culture but to get political benefits. DMK advocates promoting Tamil language but the truth is that he has done very little work to promote and preserve Tamil language, literature and literary symbols.

According to UDISE+ data, enrollment in Tamil Medium decreased from 65.87 lakhs to 46.83 lakh in 2023-24, ie reduction of more than 19.05 lakh students in a five-year period.

67% of students are now in English medium schools, while enrollment in Tamil Medium has come down from 54% (2018-19) to 36% (2023-24). In government schools, enrollment in English medium increased from 3.4 lakh to 17.7 lakhs in just five years. Tamil enrollment in government aided schools declined by 7.3 lakhs, reflecting deep changes in preference.

‘DMK’s hollow rhetoric on imposing NEP and language’

He further wrote, “These numbers reveal the actual story- enrollment in Tamil Medium is continuously decreasing. This is not just a change in language preference, it is a game of colonial mindset. English is seen as a status symbol and entrance to jobs, while Indian languages are seen as a symbol of backwardness. “The Education Minister said,” Encouraging education in mother tongue is one of the most important aspects of NEP 2020. DMK’s hollow rhetoric cannot hide their failure when NEP and Language imposies. His agenda is clear politics and power at the cost of the future of Tamil Nadu. ”

NEP ‘disastrous Nagpur Yojana’- Stalin

Earlier, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin today termed the National Education Policy as a “disastrous Nagpur Yojana” and reiterated that the state would not accept it even if the central government would provide Rs 10,000 crore. Addressing a government program at Chengalpet near Chennai, Stalin said, “Yesterday you must have seen parliamentary proceedings on television. He is saying with ego that Rs 2,000 crore will be given to Tamil Nadu only when Hindi and Sanskrit are accepted. Who? He was Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. ”He said that the state is opposing the National Education Policy as it would completely destroy the development of education in Tamil Nadu.