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Context:
The Union Government has withheld ₹2,152 crore in the Samagra Shiksha due to Tamil Nadu’s refusal to join the PM Schools for Rising India initiative. The State opposes the National Educational Policy (NEP) 2020, particularly the three language formula.
What Does NEP 2020 Say?
- Retains the three language formula from NEP 1968
- Flexible choice of languages, however, at least two must be native to India. Stress on bilingual teaching along with an optional Sanskrit inclusion.
- Less explicit compulsion for Hindi unlike in past
- NEP 2020 sets out guidelines for states to formulate their own language policies, which seem to undermine Tamil Nadu’s position. Interaction will informally indicate Tamil Nadu’s rejection of such ideas.
- Evolved i.e., Act I, all the way since to: Tamil + English
- 1937-65 anti Hindi agitations created a deeply embedded opposition to Hindi imposition.
- A fear that its implementation, will, through the very lack of regional language resources, indirectly bolster Hindi. The Union government has traditionally promoted Hindi, employing funds, including the salaries of Hindi teachers in non Hindi States.
Political Stand
- TN must “align with the Constitution” said by a minister.
- Some Accuse Centre of making “blackmail” threats toward Tamil Nadu and vows “to oppose Hindi imposition” .
Potential Solutions
- Participation in constructive dialogue or discourse aimed at compromising linguistic diversity with policy flexibility between the Centre and TN would be.
- Recognition of TN’s very strong educational metrics even in the absence of the three language model.
- Politicization of Samagra Shiksha funds must be avoided so that students’ welfare is not compromised.
On the other hand, the Centre Tamil Nadu standoff brings to the fore linguistic and federal tensions, which require collaborative solutions rather than policy ultimatums.
