Federalism and Education: The Tamil Nadu-Centre Standoff

GS 2 – GOVERNANCE

Context: The withholding of Tamil Nadu’s share of Samagra Shiksha funds due to its refusal to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has spotlighted tensions in India’s federal structure regarding education governance.

Tamil Nadu’s Fund Dispute

• Tamil Nadu has raised concerns over the non-release of ₹2,152 crore under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme, impacting nearly 40 lakh students and 32,000 staff. The Union Education Minister has stated that these funds will only be disbursed if Tamil Nadu adopts the NEP 2020.
• While NEP 2020 promotes uniform education policies nationwide, many states, including Tamil Nadu, advocate for autonomy in implementation. The state has a long-standing history of resisting centrally-imposed education mandates, particularly on language policies.

Samagra Shiksha Scheme

Launched in 2018-19 by the Ministry of Education, the Samagra Shiksha Scheme aims to provide inclusive and equitable school education from preschool to Class XII.

• Funding Structure: The scheme operates on a 60:40 funding split between the Centre and most states.
• Merged Schemes:
  • Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA): Initiated in 2001 to ensure universal elementary education for children aged 6-14.
  • Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA): Launched in 2009 to expand access and improve the quality of secondary education.
  • Teacher Education (TE): Focuses on strengthening institutions like SCERTs and DIETs to enhance teacher training.

Broader Concerns

• 42nd Amendment (1976): This constitutional amendment moved education from the State List to the Concurrent List, limiting state autonomy.
• Seventh Schedule: Mandates Union-state cooperation in education, but states often feel overlooked.
• NEP 2020 and Federalism: Critics argue the policy lacked comprehensive parliamentary debate and insufficient state consultation.
• Article 351: Promotes Hindi across India, clashing with Tamil Nadu’s commitment to its linguistic diversity.
• Funding Conditionality: Linking Samagra Shiksha funds to NEP compliance raises concerns about fairness in federal relations.
• Wider Opposition: Other states, including West Bengal and several Northeastern states, also oppose aspects of the NEP, especially perceived efforts to promote Hindi.

Tamil Nadu’s Historical Resistance to Language Policies

• 1937-1940: Anti-Hindi protests erupted against Rajaji’s compulsory Hindi order, led by Periyar and the Self-Respect Movement.
• 1948 Constituent Assembly Debates: TT Krishnamachari criticized Hindi dominance, leading to the Munshi-Ayyangar formula that retained English alongside Hindi.
• Official Languages Act, 1963: CN Annadurai advocated for the indefinite continuation of English, opposing Hindi imposition.
• 1965 Anti-Hindi Protests: Violent student-led protests forced PM Shastri to assure the continued use of English; over 70 people died.
• 1967 Elections: The Congress lost power in Tamil Nadu, and the DMK, promoting a two-language policy (Tamil and English), came to power.

Tamil Nadu’s Objections to NEP 2020

• Three-Language Formula: Tamil Nadu adheres to a two-language system (Tamil and English) and opposes any inclusion of Hindi or Sanskrit.
• Autonomy Concerns: The state argues that conditioning Samagra Shiksha funds on NEP compliance infringes upon its constitutional rights in education.
• Regional Relevance: Tamil Nadu stresses that states should have input in policy implementation, considering regional socio-economic and infrastructural differences.
• Perceived Elitism: The NEP is criticized for favoring elites and overlooking principles of social justice, federalism, and pluralism, enforcing a uniform approach to education.

Opposition to PM SHRI Scheme

The PM SHRI scheme aims to establish model schools aligned with NEP 2020 across India.

• Tamil Nadu’s Stance: The state opposes the scheme as it conflicts with its existing education policies and rejects the NEP’s 5+3+3+4 structure.

Consequences of Fund Withholding

• Cooperative Federalism Undermined: Withholding funds pressures states to conform, challenging the spirit of cooperative federalism.
• Impact on Schools: The non-release of Samagra Shiksha funds affects primary education, teachers’ salaries, and school infrastructure, risking the academic continuity of millions of students.
• State’s Response: Tamil Nadu plans to draft its own State Education Policy as an alternative to the NEP.

Way Forward

• Decouple Funding from NEP Compliance: Ensure Samagra Shiksha and PM SHRI funds are not contingent on adopting NEP 2020.
• Performance-Based Funding: Allocate funds based on educational outcomes and needs rather than policy adoption.
• Promote Dialogue: Foster open discussions between the Centre and states to accommodate regional diversity in education policies.
• Uphold Federal Principles: Respect the constitutional autonomy of states, especially concerning language and education, to maintain the balance in India’s federal structure.

Mains Question:

“Discuss the constitutional and federal implications of the Centre conditioning Samagra Shiksha funds on the adoption of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Analyze how such policies impact cooperative federalism in India, using the Tamil Nadu-Centre standoff as a case study.”