Chennai: Invoking former chief minister C N Annadurai’s principle that three-language formula should not be pursued and only Tamil and English should be taught, TVK govt led by C Joseph Vijay on Thursday reaffirmed its commitment to Tamil Nadu’s two-language policy. This was part of Tamil Nadu Governor R V Arlekar’s address in the state assembly on Thursday.The govt strongly opposed the National Education Policy (NEP), saying the Centre’s position that ₹3,458 crore due to Tamil Nadu under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan would be released only if the NEP’s three-language formula was implemented, is unacceptable. It said linking funds to implementation effectively imposes the three-language formula on the state, and it will urge Union govt to delink the condition and immediately release the pending amount.Govt said problems linked to NEET, the National Education Policy (NEP), and the three-language formula arise because education is in the Concurrent List, and it will take steps to move education back to State List. It will urge Centre to permit Tamil for pleadings in the Madras high court. The govt will fill long-vacant teaching posts in state universities and higher educational institutions on a war footing, through a transparent process based strictly on eligibility and merit. “Govt will introduce various fundamental reforms in the higher education sector,” governor Arlekar said.
