Centre withholds ₹573cr school fund for TN rejecting NEP

Centre withholds ₹573cr school fund for TN rejecting NEP

 Ragu.Raman@timesofindia.com

Chennai : The Union govt has withheld the first instalment of ₹573 crore under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme to Tamil Nadu for not accepting the provisions of National Education Policy (NEP). The state is particularly opposed to the three-language formula in the PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme. The project approval board has allocated ₹3,586 crore under SSA for 2024-2025 to Tamil Nadu. Of this, the Union govt’s share is ₹2,152 crore (60%), while the share of the state govt is ₹1,434crore (40%). The Union govt is to release its share in four instalments. The first instalment for 2024-25 should have been received in June.

However, Centre is yet to respond to letters and reminders from Tamil Nadu on releasing the funds. This means that around 15,000 teachers may not get their salaries next month. The reimbursement of fees for students enrolled in 25% quota under RTE act, transport and escort facilities for children in remote areas, teachers training and self-defence training for girls of Classes VI to XII are also likely to be affected. 

MoUs excluding NEP. 

 State signs MoU excluding NEP guidelines; gets rejected by Centre An official said, “SSA scheme has been running in the past few months with the share of funds from Tamil Nadu government. However, going forward, it will be challenging to run the scheme without Centre’s contribution.” During review meetings in July in New Delhi, it was emphasised that the MoU for the establishment of PM SHRI schools must be signed to release the fund. “Tamil Nadu govt has sent the MoU to the Union ministry of education for approval by excluding the provision that mandates adherence to the guidelines of NEP in PM SHRI schools. And this request has been declined,” the official added. 

Besides the three-language formula, the MoU has some specific provisions like 5+3+3+4 curricular structure and the introduction of vocational education from Class VI as per the NEP. Tamil Nadu state has been following a two-language formula following anti-Hindi agitation in 1965. Tamil Nadu govt also formed a panel headed by Justice D Murugesan, former chief justice of Delhi high court to frame the State Education Policy (SEP). In its recommendations, the SEP panel rejected the three-language formula and recommended sticking to the existing 10+2 curricular structure. 

It also opposed common exams for Classes III, V and VIII. Like Tamil Nadu, some other states such as Kerala, West Bengal, Delhi and Punjab are also yet to sign the MoU for implementing PM SHRI schools. “SSA is supposed to be the top welfare scheme in children’s education. Under no circumstances it can be treated like this. It is a very unfortunate development as it could affect lakhs of children from poor backgrounds,” said Krishna Kumar, former director of National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). “Samagra Shiksha and PM SHRI are two different schemes of the Union govt. There is no justification for the Centre withholding SSA funds till the state govt accepts NEP,” said educational activist P B Prince Gajendrababu. Tamil Nadu MPs should raise the issue in Parliament, he said.