Page 29 - EW October 2025

with state governments also permitted erations,” says Arokia Prabhu. the literacy rate of 80.1 percent (cen-
to legislate on it. Moreover, Tamil Nadu’s SEP sus 2011), and iron out deep regional
TN education minister Anbil Ma- 2025 adheres to the traditional 10+2 disparities. The state’s 11 million chil-
hesh Poyyamozhi describes SEP schooling structure, choosing not to dren are enroled in 58,000 schools,
2025 as a document that reflects adopt the 5+3+3+4 structure which of which 37,000 are government or
Tamil Nadu’s “unique socio-cultural mandates three years of compulsory aided institutions. And the number
and linguistic context” while simul- early years education for children aged of dropouts is rising, according to the
taneously preparing the state’s youth 3-6. Another key decision is retaining Unified District Information System
for a global future. Yet not a few edu- classes X and XII compulsory board for Education Plus (UDISE+) 2024 re-
cationists believe that it is driven by exams whereas under NEP 2020, the port. “Schools in most districts lack the
votes-catching Tamil identity politics class X exam is optional. most basic facilities. Unless they are
than genuine education reform zeal. TN’s SEP 2025 also mandates that upgraded, the promise of equity will
Advocate M.J. John Arokia no child shall be detained in any class remain unfulfilled,” says R. Muru-
Prabhu, vice president of the Tamil until completion of class VIII. On the gan, a government school teacher in
Nadu Private Schools Association, other hand, last year the Central gov- Villupuram district.
apprehends a growing divide in TN’s ernment amended NEP 2020 rules Almost a decade ago in Associated
civil society. “Private aided schools to scrap the no-detention policy. For Management of English Medium Pri-
still have the option to teach Hindi but many parents, however, these depar- mary & Secondary Schools vs State of
government and aided schools don’t. tures from NEP 2020 are more form Karnataka (2014), the Supreme Court
When Tamil children venture beyond than substance. ruled that languages children learn is
Tamil Nadu — for college or employ- While the state government has the choice of parents. It’s a pity that
ment — they will struggle to commu- dressed up its SEP 2025 as a pro- neither NEP 2020 nor language chau-
nicate, especially in northern states gressive education reform initiative vinist state governments have respect-
where Hindi is the lingua franca. By that will give Tamil Nadu an edge in ed this verdict. The cost will be borne
trying to protect the Tamil identity, we K-12 education, SEP 2025 doesn’t by children when they become adults.
may be closing doors for future gen- suggest ways and means to improve Shivani Chaturvedi (Chennai)

OCTOBER 2025 EDUCATIONWORLD 29