"When the future of our students is at stake, parents must question," TN Education Minister on NEP

Trichy (Tamil Nadu) [India], May 2 (ANI): Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi has expressed strong concerns over the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP).
He stated that when the NEP was initially proposed as a draft, Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister, MK Stalin, had opposed it. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was hastily approved.
He highlighted a recent change under the CBSE curriculum, where students in classes 5 and 8 who fail their exams would have to repeat the year. He further warned that it places immense pressure on young children and their parents.
"We are not speaking only for the children of DMK members," the minister said.
"We are speaking for all students in Tamil Nadu, regardless of political affiliation--be it BJP, AIADMK, or others," he added.
He pointed out that, according to the Right to Education (RTE) Act, there should be no exams that cause children to fail between classes 3 and 8. Introducing failure in class 3 could lead to students dropping out of school entirely, increasing the school dropout rate.
Poyyamozhi also emphasised that the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed the NEP. Despite this, the Union Government continues to push for its implementation.
He urged parents to raise their voices against the NEP, saying, "When the future of our students is at stake, parents must question and oppose such policies. If CBSE schools ask parents to sign any declaration accepting failure in exams, they must refuse to sign."
He also criticised the NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training), alleging that it is distorting history by removing and rewriting important parts, portraying freedom fighters as traitors and vice versa.
"If NCERT enters the scene, SCERT disappears," he remarked, criticising the marginalisation of state-level education bodies.
The minister added that the Chief Minister is introducing several reforms to ensure quality education, including the implementation of Artificial Intelligence education from Class 6 onwards, starting next academic year.
"Every citizen must be empowered to think critically," he concluded, asserting that each state knows its own needs best and the Union Government should not impose decisions in a top-down manner. (ANI)