Tamil Nadu State Vice President Narayanan Tirupathi has strongly criticized the DMK government in a recent press release, accusing it of hypocrisy in its education policies. The statement highlights the DMK’s role in introducing CBSE schools in the state and questions the current government’s stance on bilingual education.
Narayanan Tirupathi pointed out that the first CBSE school in Tamil Nadu was established in Chennai in 1969 during the DMK regime. He emphasized that starting a CBSE school requires state government approval, and Tamil Nadu now boasts the third-highest number of CBSE schools in India, trailing only Delhi and Haryana. As of last year, there were 1,625 CBSE schools in the state, with Tamil students actively learning a third language, including Hindi, in these institutions.
“Does the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister not know that students in these schools are learning a third language based on the wishes of the people?” Narayanan Tirupathi questioned. He noted that since 2010, during the DMK’s tenure, parents have increasingly enrolled their children in CBSE schools, driven by dissatisfaction with the state’s education policies and curriculum.
Narayanan Tirupathi argued that the widespread acceptance of trilingual education in CBSE schools reflects the preferences of Tamil Nadu’s people and the politicians who run these institutions. However, he condemned the state government’s bilingual policy as a betrayal of students in government schools.
“Denying poor government school students quality education while providing free food and uniforms is against social justice,” he stated. “Is the government’s policy equal for everyone? Is this social justice?”
He accused the government of prioritizing the interests of private schools over the educational advancement of underprivileged students. “The government fears that introducing a third language in state schools would harm the business of private schools,” Narayanan Tirupathi alleged. “This selfishness is robbing students of their future.”
Narayanan Tirupathi also criticized the DMK-led government for allegedly obstructing the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), which he believes could usher in a new era of opportunity for government school students. “How is it fair for the Dravidian model government to deny poor students the benefits of the NEP?” he asked.
The press release has reignited debates over Tamil Nadu’s education policies, with critics accusing the DMK of inconsistency and failing to uphold social justice. As the state continues to grapple with these issues, the future of its education system remains a contentious topic.