Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has accused the central government of withholding funds from opposition-ruled states under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme (SSS), alleging that the move is politically motivated. Sharing a news report on X (formerly Twitter), Stalin claimed that the Centre was denying education scheme funds to top-ranked states like Tamil Nadu. He also criticized the National Education Policy (NEP), expressing his government’s reservations about several aspects of the policy.
In response, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan countered Stalin’s claims, criticizing him for creating divisions between states over the NEP’s implementation. While acknowledging healthy competition between states, Pradhan cautioned against “pitting states against each other” in his statement on X.
Why is Tamil Nadu Opposed to NEP?
Tamil Nadu’s government has been vocal in its opposition to various elements of the NEP, including the three-language formula and the emphasis on teaching in the mother tongue. One key point of contention is the PM-SHRI (PM Schools for Rising India) scheme, which aligns with the objectives of the NEP. Tamil Nadu, along with other opposition-ruled states, had not initially accepted the scheme. However, in July 2024, Tamil Nadu indicated its willingness to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Union government to implement PM-SHRI, but requested that the term “NEP” be removed from the agreement.
An official familiar with the matter confirmed that the Tamil Nadu government sent back a modified version of the MoU, seeking the removal of references to NEP. The Union Ministry of Education, however, insisted that NEP remains central to the scheme and could not be removed, as PM-SHRI schools are intended to showcase the goals of the NEP.
SSS and PM-SHRI Funding Linked
The Samagra Shiksha Scheme (SSS) is an overarching program designed to implement the Right to Education (RTE) Act, with the Centre funding 60% of the expenses and states contributing the remaining 40%. In 2021, SSS was aligned with the NEP, and by 2022, the PM-SHRI scheme was incorporated under SSS. However, states that do not sign the MoU to implement PM-SHRI are at risk of not receiving SSS funds, as seen in Tamil Nadu and other states like Delhi and Punjab.
Tamil Nadu officials have stated that they have yet to receive SSS funds for the first quarter of this year due to their reluctance to fully implement PM-SHRI. Similarly, states like West Bengal, which has refused to sign the MoU, have also had their funds withheld.
Opposition from Other States
While Tamil Nadu has expressed a willingness to implement PM-SHRI with conditions, states such as Delhi and Punjab, both governed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), have recently agreed to sign the MoU. In contrast, West Bengal continues to oppose the scheme, with officials reportedly asking for the removal of the term “PM” from the agreement before implementing it.
The conflict over NEP and SSS funding continues, as opposition states grapple with the implications of accepting or rejecting central education policies.
