Why is T.N.’s education funding on hold?

Sub :Schemes

Sec: Education

Context:

Tamil Nadu is has not received this year’s funds from the Union government under the flagship education scheme Samagra Shiksha.
For 2024-25, Tamil Nadu’s allocation under the scheme amounts to ₹3,586 crore of which the Central share is ₹2,152 crore, with a first quarterly instalment of ₹573 crore, which has not yet arrived halfway through the financial year.

Why has Tamil Nadu not received funds:

The Centre has linked these funds to the complete implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which includes provisions that the State has opposed, including the contentious three-language formula.
Tamil Nade has refused to implement the scheme completely and claims that linking the release of Samagra Shiksha funds to full NEP compliance “infringes upon the State’s constitutional autonomy in education”.
The Centre has also stopped funding for the Samagra Shiksha scheme in states that have refused to implement its PM SHRI scheme.

Tamil Nadu’s problem with the NEP 2020:

TN’s problem is with specific elements like the three-language formula and curriculum changes.
Tamil Nadu is already implementing many acceptable aspects of NEP through its own initiatives.
Tamil Nadu’s draft State Education Policy (SEP), clearly indicates that the State wants to stick to the 5+3+2+2 curricular formula, rather than NEP, which includes pre-school years.
The SEP proposes five years as the age of entry to Class 1, as against six years in the NEP.
The State wants undergraduate college admissions to be based on Class 11 and 12 marks, rather than a common entrance test as proposed by the NEP.
The biggest issue, however, is the NEP’s three-language formula.
The state implements a two-language formula, making it mandatory for all students to study both Tamil and English throughout their school years, and they are free to choose Hindi or any other language as an optional third.

NEP’s three-language formula:

The NEP 2020 recommends the mother tongue or the local language as the medium of instruction till Class 5 and says that all school students should be taught at least three languages, of which two must be native to India.
This three-language formula recommendation has been in every NEP since 1968, and has been implemented in many States by teaching the local language, as well as English and Hindi, with Sanskrit also offered as an option, especially in Hindi-speaking States.
NEP states that there will be a greater flexibility in the three-language formula, and no language will be imposed on any State.

Why does Tamil Nadu oppose the three-language formula?

Historic opposition: Tamil Nadu has had a long-standing opposition to this formula, dating back to social movements in the pre-Independence era. From a widespread agitation against mandatory Hindi in the 1930s to violent anti-Hindi riots in the late 1960s, to protests against the NEP and Navodaya schools in 1986, there has been a consistent political consensus on the issue.
Cultural identity: Language is seen as a part of culture and the people of Tamil Nadu sees the policy as an attempt to dilute Tamil supremacy.
English: English is seen by many as the language of empowerment rather than Hindi
Opposition to Hindi imposition: Voluntary learning of Hindi language has never been restricted in the state. Only the compulsion is opposed.
Autonomy: TN claims that linking the release of Samagra Shiksha funds to full NEP compliance infringes upon its autonomy.

Samagra Shiksha (Integrated Scheme for School Education):

Samagra Shiksha is an integrated Centrally-sponsored scheme for school education from pre-school till Class 12 launched by Ministry of Education in 2018.
It aims to deliver inclusive, equitable, and affordable school education.
It subsumes the three Schemes of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Teacher Education (TE).
It includes components for teacher training and salaries, special education, digital education, school infrastructure, administrative reform, vocational and sports education, with grants for textbooks, uniforms, and libraries, among others.
The scheme’s estimated outlay between 2021 and 2026 is ₹2.94 lakh crore, with the Centre and States contributing funds in a 60:40 ratio.

Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) Scheme:

PM SHRI is a Centrally Sponsored scheme announced in 2022.
It aims to develop 14,500 schools across the country by strengthening selected existing schools being managed by Central Government/ State/ UT Government/ local bodies.
It will create and nurture holistic and well-rounded individuals equipped with key 21st century skills.
The duration of the scheme is from 2022-23 to 2026-27, after which it shall be the responsibility of the States/UTs to continue to maintain the benchmarks achieved by these schools.