TN rejects three-language formula in new NEP; says will follow existing policy

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government on Monday, August 3 rejected the Centre”s three-language formula proposed in the new National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and said there will not be any deviation from the two-language policy being followed in the state.

Taking a strong exception to the proposal for the three-language formula in the NEP, Chief Minister K Palaniswami who chaired a Cabinet meeting at the Secretariat here, said the state has been following the two-language policy for several decades and there will be no change in it.

“Tamil Nadu will never allow the Centre”s three-language policy. The state will continue with it”s dual language policy (of Tamil and English),” the chief minister said.

“The three-language formula in the NEP is painful and saddening. The Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) should reconsider the three-language policy,” he said, adding the Centre should allow the states to implement their own policy on the subject.

Palaniswami said that there will be no change to the two- language formula which the state had adopted decades ago.

Teaching up to class 5 in mother tongue or regional language and lowering the stakes of board exams are part of the sweeping reforms in the new NEP unveiled last week.