TN will not bow to PM SHRI pressure, says Education Minister Rajmohan

Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Rajmohan on Tuesday (May 19) moved to quell speculation about a possible indirect implementation of the Centre's PM SHRI scheme in the state, asserting categorically that there would be no such move.

His clarification came a day after his own remarks triggered the controversy. On Monday, Rajmohan had told mediapersons that the state government would need to assess whether PM SHRI's policies aligned with Tamil Nadu's goals, a statement widely interpreted as leaving the door open for a quiet adoption of the scheme. The ambiguity prompted immediate questions about whether the DMK government was considering a roundabout implementation. On Tuesday, the minister shut that down.

Two-language policy is non-negotiable

Rajmohan also used the occasion to firmly restate the state's two-language policy, Tamil and English, describing it as a line the government would not cross regardless of pressure from the Centre.

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Drawing a pointed historical parallel, he invoked Singapore's founding leader Lee Kuan Yew. "The TVK stands firm on the two-language policy of mother tongue and English. Even Lee Kuan Yew developed Singapore from scratch and used only English to reach out to the world," he said.

Centre withholds funds, TN pushes back

Rajmohan alleged that the Union government has withheld funds meant for Tamil Nadu's schools for the past two years, directly linking the freeze to the state's refusal to implement PM SHRI.

He was unambiguous in his condemnation of the practice. "These funds are meant for students, not government officials. Withholding funds is unacceptable. Tamil Nadu will not budge to such pressure," he said.

PM SHRI, Prime Minister's Schools for Rising India, is a centrally sponsored scheme aimed at developing model schools across the country. Tamil Nadu, along with a few other non-BJP states, has resisted its implementation, arguing that it conflicts with state education priorities and language policy.

Teacher training, school reopening plans

Separately, the minister outlined immediate priorities for the new academic year. He distributed handbooks and teacher-training materials for Classes 1 to 3 to 200 state-level trainers, who will travel across districts to prepare primary teachers following the rollout of new textbooks.

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All government schools in Tamil Nadu are set to reopen on June 1, with classes for students from Classes 1 to 3 beginning on June 4.

Focus on school infrastructure

Rajmohan also outlined a set of ground-level priorities for government schools, including clean and well-maintained toilets, access to drinking water, and upgraded classroom infrastructure. He said enrolment numbers in government schools, which lag behind private schools despite their larger numbers, would be reviewed and corrective steps taken.

On transport safety, he warned that strict action would be taken against school vehicles that fail to meet prescribed norms ahead of reopening.

The minister concluded by wishing Class 10 state board students, whose results are set to be declared on Wednesday at around 9.30 am.