New Delhi: Hitting back at Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday said it was inappropriate for the state to view National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 with a myopic vision and spin progressive educational reforms into threats to sustain political narratives.
Pradhan in his letter to Stalin said that continued opposition to NEP 2020 for political reasons deprive students, teachers and educational institutions in Tamil Nadu of the immense opportunities and resources that the policy offers.
The education minister’s move has come in response to Stalin’s letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing concern over the former’s statement that Tamil Nadu’s ‘Samagra Shiksha’ funds would not be released unless the state implements a three-language policy as given in the NEP.
Tamil Nadu has often opposed the NEP particularly its three-language formula.
In his letter, Pradhan said that NEP 2020 is not just a reform but a transformative vision that seeks to elevate India’s education system to global standards while preserving and strengthening the country’s linguistic and cultural diversity.
Pradhan also clarified that the NEP does not advocate imposition of any language.
“Many non-BJP states have implemented the progressive policies of NEP despite political differences. NEP 2020 aims to broaden the horizon, not narrow them. I would therefore request you to rise above political differences and look into the matter holistically keeping in mind the interest of our young learners,” the education minister said.
