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States » SouthPosted at: Mar 12 2025 3:32PM


TN don't need a forced 3rd langauge : Anbil Mahesh on NEP

Chennai, Mar 12 (UNI) Amid deepening row between the Centre and the DMK government in
Tamil Nadu over the NEP row to implement the three-language policy, School Education Minister
Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi on Wednesday said TN does not need a forced third language when
its students were already excelling with a strong bilingual foundation.
Tami Nadu has consistently been opposing NEP on the ground that the Centre was attempting to
impose Hindi and Sanskrit in the name of three-language formula and that some provisions in the
NEP would drive out students from schools and destroy the state's educational growth.
The issue rocked the both Houses of Parliament generating heated debate between the DMK MPs
and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who said the DMK MPs are uncivilised and
dishonest, triggering strong objections that forced him to retract the remarks later.
In a post on X, countering Mr Pradhan's contention batting for TN to accept NEP and the 3-language
formula envisaged under it, Mr Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi asked why the Centre wanted to disrupt a
system that works better than NEP, which is a one size fits all model?
He said while 1.09 crore students in 58,779 schools pursue education in state board schools, only
15.2 lakh students study in 1,635 CBSE schools. It is thus very clear what the people of Tamil Nadu
want.
The Minister said if there had been a real demand for learning any third language, as is being
claimed by some, why the people of Tamil Nadu continue to choose State Board schools and
asked Mr Pradhan to understand and respect people’s choices .
Averring that English was already a part of Tamil Nadu’s two-language system, ensuring students have global opportunities while maintaining their cultural identity, Mr Anbil Mahesh said Tamil is
more than just a language--it’s a connection to our roots, history, and values.
Mr Anbil Mahesh said unlike the imposition of a third language, the existing two-language system allowed students to master English for global outreach and Tamil for strong cultural ethos and
values.
Even in English Medium schools, every student in Tamil Nadu studies Tamil as a subject and is proficient in it--Tamil for pride and English as a world guide o path to progress and equity.
Asserting that Tamil Nadu does not need a forced third language when its students are already excelling with a strong bilingual foundation, the Minister asked Mr Pradhan why force a change
when Tamil Nadu’s education system was already producing top professionals, thinkers, and innovators.
Noting that this was not about language alone, Mr Anbil Mahesh said it was about protecting an education system that delivers results and that Tamil Nadu will not compromise on what is best
for its students.
He also urged Mr Pradhan not to disrupt a system that delivers excellence.
Observing that this is not just about Tamil language, the Minister said it’s about an education
system that has been tried, tested, and proven successful over decades.
Noting that the Tamil Nadu’s Model had worked wonders, he said the TN State Board education system has consistently produced some of the best results in higher education and employment
as the focus on concept-based learning rather than rote memorization has empowered generations
of students to excel in professional fields within India and abroad.
"Hon. Union Minister @dpradhanbjp avargal Don’t Fix What Isn’t Broken: Tamil Nadu’s Education System Delivers, NEP Disrupts!", Mr Anbil wrote.
"The attack on Tamil Nadu’s stand on NEP and the language issue is not only misleading—it completely ignores the bigger picture", he said.
"This is not just about Tamil language; it’s about an education system that has been tried, tested,
and proven successful over decades".
"Tamil Nadu’s Model Works: Our State Board education system has consistently produced some
of the best results in higher education and employment. The focus on concept-based learning rather than rote memorization has empowered generations of students to excel in professional fields within India and abroad", he added.
"While 1.09 cr Students in 58,779 No of schools pursue education in state board schools, only
15.2 lakh students study in 1635 CBSE schools. It is thus very clear what the people of Tamil Nadu want. If there had been a real demand for learning any third language, as is being claimed by some, why our people continue to choose State Board schools? Let’s understand and respect people’s choices", Mr Anbil Mahesh wrote.
"English is already a part of Tamil Nadu’s two-language system, ensuring students have global opportunities while maintaining their cultural identity.Tamil is more than just a language—it’s a connection to our roots, history, and values", he said in the post.
"Unlike the imposition of a third language, this system allows students to master English for global outreach and Tamil for strong cultural ethos and values. Even in English Medium Schools, every student in Tamil Nadu studies Tamil as a subject and is proficient in it. Tamil for our pride and English as a world guide is our path to progress and equity", he said.
"Hence, Tamil Nadu does not need a forced third language when our students are already excelling with a strong bilingual foundation", the School Education Minister said.
"I would like to ask the Honble Minister If Tamil Nadu’s education system is already producing top professionals, thinkers, and innovators, why force a change? Why disrupt a system that works
better than the NEP - which is a one size fits all model?", he asked.
"This is not about language alone—it’s about protecting an education system that delivers results",
he said.
"Tamil Nadu will not compromise on what is best for its students. Pl do not disrupt a system that delivers excellence", he said.
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