The State Platform for Common School System – Tamil Nadu (SPCSS-TN) has launched a dedicated website to raise awareness about the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and highlight its perceived drawbacks. The website, www.thesamacheerkalvi.in, was introduced on Monday by M Nandhini and BR Murali, parents of a Class 10 student studying in a Chennai Corporation school.
Objective of the Website
SPCSS-TN, a coalition of educationists and educational activists, opposes NEP 2020, advocating instead for Samacheer Kalvi—the Tamil Nadu Uniform System of School Education. The newly launched website aims to:
- Provide detailed insights into why NEP 2020 is unsuitable for Tamil Nadu.
- Promote Tamil Nadu’s two-language policy over the three-language formula outlined in NEP 2020.
- Encourage public and political support to reject the NEP and maintain the state’s independent education framework.
SPCSS-TN’s Position on NEP 2020
In a press meet held on Monday, SPCSS-TN members declared:
“We reject NEP 2020. This is the declaration made by SPCSS-TN through its website.”
SPCSS-TN argues that the three-language formula in NEP 2020 imposes Hindi on Tamil Nadu, disrupting the state’s established two-language policy (Tamil and English). The group believes that the NEP undermines the state’s cultural and linguistic identity while centralizing control over education.
Demands Raised by SPCSS-TN
1. Fast-Track Approval for the Tamil Nadu Medical Undergraduate Admission Act 2021
SPCSS-TN urged all political parties to unite and expedite presidential approval for the TN Medical Undergraduate Admission Act 2021, which seeks to exempt Tamil Nadu from the central NEET examination for medical admissions.
2. Announcement of State Education Policy (SEP)
The platform called on the Tamil Nadu government to draft and announce a State Education Policy (SEP) tailored to the state’s linguistic and cultural needs. SPCSS-TN stressed that Tamil Nadu should retain control over its education system to protect its regional identity.
3. Resolution of School Education Issues
SPCSS-TN highlighted various issues affecting school education in Tamil Nadu and demanded that the government:
- Address these issues before the next academic year.
- Disclose the number of schools that have shut down since 2000.
- Publish details about schools operating under different state departments.
Why SPCSS-TN Opposes NEP 2020
SPCSS-TN contends that NEP 2020 promotes a centralized education system that disregards regional diversity. The three-language formula, which requires students to learn at least two Indian languages, is viewed as an indirect attempt to impose Hindi on non-Hindi-speaking states.
Tamil Nadu has consistently followed a two-language policy (Tamil and English) and resisted previous attempts to introduce Hindi in the school curriculum. SPCSS-TN argues that NEP 2020’s approach to language education contradicts the state’s established educational framework.
Political and Educational Impact
The launch of the website reflects growing opposition to NEP 2020 in Tamil Nadu. SPCSS-TN’s demand for a State Education Policy underscores the state’s push for greater autonomy in education. The opposition to NEP 2020 aligns with Tamil Nadu’s broader resistance to central policies perceived as threats to regional identity and language preservation.
Conclusion
The launch of the SPCSS-TN website marks a significant step in Tamil Nadu’s ongoing resistance to NEP 2020. By advocating for Samacheer Kalvi and the two-language policy, SPCSS-TN aims to protect the state’s educational autonomy and cultural identity. The outcome of this resistance will likely influence future state and central education policies.
