Tamil Nadu, Kerala education ministers join hands to oppose NEP

CHENNAI: The education ministers of Tamil Nadu and Kerala have opposed the National Education Policy (NEP), saying it would lead to the exclusion of a vast majority and a huge number of dropouts.
At "Reject NE," a national convention organised by the All India Students' Federation here on Sunday, higher education minister K Ponmudy said the provision of conducting common exams to Classes III, V and VIII will lead to dropouts. "The multiple exit options at degree level also will push out many students from colleges."
The proposed entrance exam for BA and BSc will increase coaching centres, he said, adding that the NEP will bring back the hereditary education policy (Kula Kalvi Thittam).
Asserting that TN will follow the two-language formula, Ponmudy said, "We are only opposing imposition of Hindi, but not learning it." Unlike the NEP-framing panel, which had only officials barring one, the one formed to frame TN's education policy had adequate representation of educationists.
Kerala higher education minister R Bindu said the NEP is a threat to federalism that was upheld from Independence. "Exclusion is a central feature of NEP and those excluded will have vocational skills with no sufficient education. It will affect the marginalised. Students who exit degree programmes with certificates and diplomas will never get any jobs." The convention adopted resolutions including one rejecting NEP and urged to bring education back on the state list.