Will go to Delhi and negotiate if Tamil Nadu’s education funds are withheld due to two-language policy: Education minister Rajmohan

Chennai: School education minister Rajmohan said the state remained firm on the two-language policy. The statement comes in the wake of state govt not taking a clear stand on implementation of the PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme despite the education ministry calling for the implementation of the scheme in Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. “If the Centre denies us funds citing this, we will go to New Delhi to negotiate,” he told reporters after distributing textbooks, uniforms and other stationery for children at Government Model Higher Secondary School, Arumbakkam, on the day of reopening.

Reiterating the department’s order that all private schools must publicise their fee structure by today (June 5), he said schools may have collected extra fee during in the previous govt’s rule, “but our govt stands for transparency and will not encourage such practices. It will ensure trust and increase enrolment”. He added that students facing issues with excess fee collection could reach out to the school education department official for immediate redress.

He also said steps will be taken to make campuses drug-free. “If students are approached by anyone, they can raise complaints with the school staff and immediate assistance will be extended. Students’ safety can’t be compromised,” he added.

On filling of teachers vacancies, Rajmohan said there are legal constraints, but counselling and discussions will be held and appropriate decisions will be taken.

On controlling dropout rate from schools, he said that the state had already made significant progress on this front and added that school education department officials have been instructed to follow up on such students and offer them support. He added that the department would make all schools digitally empowered. “It cannot happen overnight, but all steps will be taken to ensure this,” he said.