Tiruchirapalli, May 2: Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi has expressed strong concerns over the impact of the National Education Policy (NEP) on students in the state. Speaking to reporters in Tiruchirapalli, the Minister said that implementing the NEP could lead to an increase in student dropouts in Tamil Nadu.He noted that Tamil Nadu currently has one of the best records in preventing school dropouts. “Our state is known for being dropout-free. But if the NEP is implemented as proposed, that status is at serious risk,” he said.
The Minister pointed out that the NEP includes provisions for conducting exams for students in Classes 3, 5, and 8. “This exam-based approach at an early stage will discourage students, especially from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds, leading to higher dropout rates,” he cautioned.
Mahesh also criticized the Central Government for merely announcing a caste-based census without providing a timeline for implementation. “The Centre has declared that it will carry out a caste census, but has not specified when. They must not stop with an announcement — it must be executed,” he emphasized.
He also said the NEP is largely focused on language-related aspects and includes several conditions that are not suited to Tamil Nadu’s inclusive and student-friendly education system.
The Minister’s comments reflect the Tamil Nadu government’s continued opposition to the NEP and its demand for education policies that suit regional and social realities.