Withholding Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) funds to Tamil Nadu for not accepting a three-language formula in PM SHRI schools will become a major poll issue in the 2026 assembly elections, according to school education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi. In an interview to TOI, he discussed various issues including the status of State Education Policy (SEP), addressing poor learning outcomes, quality of mid-day meals and plans to ensure functioning toilets and furniture in govt schools. Edited excerpts:
How do you want to transform schools in TN?
We are trying to bring technology to our schools. We have entered Microsoft TEALS (Technical Education and Learning Support) to teach AI to school students studying in Classes VI to IX. Robotics labs and multi-sensory park to improve the sensory activity, fine motor skills, and intelligence of differently abled children are also other initiatives we are planning.
What are the most pressing issues and how do you plan to address them?
Infrastructure and sanitation are two most pressing issues. There are old, dilapidated school buildings and lack of school rooms in some areas and lack of functioning toilets and sanitary workers in some schools. We are addressing these issues with the Perasiriyar Anbazhagan School Infrastructure Development Scheme under which we built 3,601 classrooms. And, 3,401 buildings are under construction. Separate funding of 100crore has been allocated for school maintenance and outsourcing sanitary workers and night watchmen. These infrastructure needs including classrooms, toilets and compound walls will be addressed by 2027.
What happened to the state education policy?
The committee headed by Justice Murugesan has submitted its recommendations. It is under consideration. The panel has suggested various reforms including teaching methodology, common age for school entry, and teacher training. Our CM will take a call on that.
What is the impact of the breakfast scheme in schools? There are complaints about the quality of the mid-day meal.
According to the state planning commission’s report, the breakfast scheme has improved attendance, memory power of students and enhanced nutrition. The quality of midday meals is also good.
The quality is maintained through a number of initiatives including a variety menu and four types of egg masala.
Tamil Nadu has been rated poor in learning outcomes for the past two decades in the national achievement surveys. How do you plan to address this issue?
The sample size of the National Achievement Survey is very meagre. Out of 44,000 schools, it is conducted only for 5,055 classes. It does not reflect the reality in a large state such as Tamil Nadu. A wider survey of more schools is needed. Ennum Ezhuthum scheme was launched in 2022 for Classes I to III. It has been extended up to Class V. The target is to make all children below eight read and write and make them do basic maths by 2025. The interactive and innovative way of teaching maths and other subjects has improved the engagement of students.
The Union govt is withholding funds to Tamil Nadu under SSA. Is this because TN is opposed to NEP and the three-language formula?
They are pressuring us to accept the three-language formula. Tamil Nadu has been following a two-language formula for nearly 60 years. The Union govt is yet to release any fund from its share of 2,151crore under the SSA out of 3,585crore sanctioned for 2024-25 to Tamil Nadu. They also stopped 249crore from the previous year citing our state’s objection to the three-language formula under Prime Minister’s Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI). Tamil Nadu has topped 18 out of 20 objectives under SSA. When we met Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan along with Tamil Nadu MPs demanding the immediate release of SSA funds, he said that funds will be released if we accept the three-language formula as prescribed in the NEP. Under the SSA scheme, 43 lakh students and 2 lakh teachers in the state are covered in the state. When Dravidian movements are working to ensure education for all, they are playing politics with it. It will surely be a major poll issue in the upcoming 2026 elections.
School education department recently faced controversies such as self-styled guru Mahavishnu’s speech…
It’s a big department. Whenever an issue is brought to our notice, we try to address it immediately. Some criticisms are genuine and some are politically motivated. We tried to address these criticisms. If they are politically motivated, we are trying to ignore them. We have given clear SOP for school functions.
Do you see govt schools attracting children from middle-class and upper middle-class families?
The perception of parents is one of the main reasons. Govt schools now have better access to technology, and focus on extracurricular activities such as clubs and art festivals, screening films and taking children on foreign education tours. The common syllabus or uniform system of school education ensures quality education to all children without discrimination based on their economic, social and cultural background. Govt schools and state board schools are on a par with any other boards. Our new textbooks are sought after for its high standards. In recent years, govt schools have started to attract more students as the enrolment witnessed an increase in the last few years.
Tamil Nadu schools have two major challenges – caste violence and drug abuse. How do you plan to prevent them?
We are conducting a sensitisation programme for school students during the first week of the academic year by police officials to create awareness against drug abuse. Mental health and life skills training are being conducted from Classes IX to XII students. Schools are also giving counselling to students. There were some clashes among students. But I feel social media is magnifying even some small fights among the students. These are young children. They fight now and later will become friends. To develop the feeling of fraternity among students, we introduced annual day celebrations, and a school house system for govt school students. We also integrated caste-sensitive topics into the curriculum to raise empathy among students.
