CHENNAI: The State Platform for Common School System-Tamil Nadu (SPCSS-TN) had given its representation and suggestions to Justice Murugesan Committee that has been constituted by the State government to formulate a distinct education policy for Tamil Nadu.
A delegation of SPCSS-TN met the chairman and members of high level committee at their office in Anna University in Chennai on June 1st 2023 and discussed the need to reject the National Education Policy, and evolve a State Education Policy that will ensure equitable access to education for all through State-funded institutions. Members of the delegation include Dr.P.Ratnasabapathy, Prof.A.Karunanandam, Dr.C.S.Rex Sargunam, Dr.Ravi Kumar and Mr.P.B.Prince Gajendra Babu (general secretary of SPCSS-TN).
Justice D.Murugesan, chairman of the State Education Policy formulation committee and retired Judge (former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court), had interacted with the delegation along with other members of the committee, and assured that the committee will work and submit its report to Tamil Nadu government in accordance with the mandate given to the committee.
“We have clearly explained to the Justice Murugesan Committee on 1st June 2023 about the important issues that must be dealt in State Education Policy of Tamil Nadu and the reasons why NEP 2020 is not acceptable. One of the prime demand from our side is that Board exam score should be the basis of all UG admissions including professional and technical courses. We must say no to centralized entrance exams like NEET, JEE and CUET that promote private coaching business and thereby excluding the poor students,” Mr.Prince Gajendra Babu has said in a press release today.
ENSURE EQUALITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN EDUCATION:
An appeal has been made to the Justice Murugesan Committee, which is formulating a distinct State Education Policy for Tamil Nadu, to strengthen the higher secondary courses for gaining practical knowledge by students by making a provision for subject-related field visits etc. The delegation has urged to incorporate and further develop the recommendations of Justice Dr.A.K.Rajan Committee’s report to ensure equality and social justice for each and every student aspiring to enter professional and other UG courses, and to continue reservation policy in all admissions and recruitment.
FEDERAL RIGHTS OF STATES:
The SPCSS-TN has felt that States and Union Territories must evolve education policy as per their needs and people’s expectations and the role of Union government is to just coordinate/mobilize additional support (financial and human resources) without dismantling the federal rights of States, because that is provision in Constitution as per seventh schedule Article 246.
Some of the other points put before the State Education Policy formulation high level committee include retaining the 10+2 structure and 3-years UG program, strengthen all government and aided schools, encourage neighbourhood schools, promote sports through coordination between sports department and education department etc.
Totally 15 points have been discussed at yesterday’s meeting with the State High Level Committee constituted by Tamil Nadu government to formulate State Education Policy (SEP) and one of the important point is rejecting the NEP 2022 because the National Education Policy reduces schools and higher education institutes as just literacy centers and as centres that give vocational skills.
“NEP-2020 promotes privatization, commercialization and foreign investment in education, it converts education into a market commodity without social cause, it weakens State-funded educational institutions and it fails to treat all languages equally. NEP alienates the masses,” the State Platform for Common School System-Tamil Nadu, had cautioned in its representation to Justice Murugesan Committee in Chennai on 1st June 2023.
