Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday urged the Tamil Nadu government not to politicise the three-language formula recommended under the National Education Policy (NEP-2020). Speaking at the Dakshinapatha Summit organised by IIT-Madras and Think India, Mr. Pradhan stressed that language learning should be seen as a tool for student welfare and national progress rather than political confrontation.Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed the three-language policy, accusing the Centre of attempting to impose Hindi, and continues to follow the two-language formula. Political parties across the state, including the ruling DMK and the Opposition AIADMK, have stood firm on this stand, with the BJP being the only exception.
Pradhan said the central government has been extending regular support to Tamil Nadu’s education sector through schemes like midday meals and Samagra Shiksha (SSA). Responding to the state’s charge that the Centre had withheld Rs. 2,152 crore under SSA, the Minister said funds would be released once Tamil Nadu signed an agreement with the Centre under NEP. “This is an issue of student welfare. It should not be politicised. Both sides must function with mutual respect,” he noted.
He further emphasised that NEP-2020 has been accepted across the country and does not force any particular language. “The policy only suggests mother tongue and two additional languages. What is wrong in learning three languages? Many schools in Tamil Nadu already teach Telugu, Urdu, Malayalam, and other languages,” he said.
The Minister also highlighted that skill-based learning would be formally included in the curriculum from Class 6 onwards, with focused integration in Classes 11 and 12. “Previously, skills were optional, but now they will be part of the formal curriculum. This will prepare students for future challenges,” he explained.
While praising Tamil as a “vibrant and rich” language that he personally wished to learn, Pradhan stressed that every child should first be strong in their mother tongue before learning other languages. He also flagged a concern that nearly 30 per cent of students in India drop out after Class 12, underscoring the need for reforms.
He described NEP-2020 as “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam in action,” adding that its implementation would not only realise the goal of Viksit Bharat but also contribute to global welfare.
On a positive note, Pradhan lauded IIT-Madras’s ‘IITM For All’ initiative, which provides opportunities for rural and underprivileged students from Tamil Nadu to pursue a four-year online BS course in Data Science. He said the flexibility and multiple entry-exit options built into the course reflected NEP’s spirit of inclusivity and innovation.