The National Education Policy, with its provisions of revamping the curriculum structure, assessment criteria and regulations, promises a brand-new approach to teaching and learning.

Research suggests that 85 per cent of the cumulative brain development in a child happens by the age of six. The new 5 3 3 4 formula provides a strong underpinning, with the first five years dedicated to foundational learning, followed by a regularly assessed academic growth through the preparatory, middle and secondary stages. NEP 2020, which came into effect thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s relentless efforts to modernise education, will inspire a shift from rote learning to in-depth understanding.

The DMK government in Tamil Nadu has been fear-mongering that the three-language formula is a ploy to impose Hindi on the state. Does the NEP impose Hindi? No. So why is the DMK lying so brazenly? Well, Stalin has nothing to show by way of governance. His track record as chief minister has been marked by lawlessness, attack on Sanatana Dharma, and rabid corruption. Worse still, Stalin has pushed Tamil Nadu’s economy over the edge of a cliff, with a debt burden of over Rs 8.3 lakh crore. Inflation in Tamil Nadu has persistently been way above the national average for most part of Stalin’s rule. Opposition to the NEP is the chief minister’s way of polarising the narrative with the North-South debate, for political mileage.

Remember, NEP 2020 has only reintroduced the three-language formula, a concept first introduced in the 1968 NEP. The DMK’s fears to see this as a covert attempt to introduce Hindi through the backdoor are completely unfounded. The earlier NEP advocated for Hindi to be a compulsory language across the nation. Hindi-speaking states were required to teach Hindi, English and a modern Indian language, preferably a south Indian one, while non-Hindi-speaking states were expected to teach the local regional language, Hindi and English.

In contrast, NEP 2020 offers much more leeway, not imposing any specific language on any state. “There will be greater flexibility in the three-language formula, and no language will be imposed on any state. The three languages learned by children will be the choices of states, regions and of course the students themselves, so long as at least two of the three languages are native to India," reads the relevant part of the policy. That is, in addition to the state’s language, children would be required to learn at least one other Indian language, not necessarily Hindi. There is absolutely no imposition of any language on any state or community.

“NEP 2020 upholds linguistic freedom, ensuring students have the autonomy to learn in the language of their choice," said Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, commenting on the issue. Private schools attended by the children and grandchildren of DMK leaders follow a tri-lingual policy. Shouldn’t government school students, therefore, have the same opportunities? DMK’s opposition to the NEP is hypocrisy at its worst because while the party allows elite institutions in the state to follow the tri-lingual approach, it opposes NEP, which also has a tri-lingual approach by way of the 3-language formula.

If Stalin is really interested in promoting Tamil, why has the DMK government failed to recruit sufficient........

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