Dharmendra Pradhan, MK Stalin lock horns over NEP, central funds

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday rejected Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin's claim that the best-performing states are being denied funds by the Centre under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme for refusing to implement National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Pradhan’s comments came in response to the Tamil Nadu chief minister’s allegations that the best performing states were being denied funds by the Union government under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) for refusing to implement NEP. Stalin also accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre of “rewarding” states that failed to meet educational objectives.

Accusing the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister of trying to pit states against each other to make a point about the non-implementation of the new NEP, the Union Education Minister said,"Healthy competition amongst the states is always welcome in a democracy. However, pitting states against each other to make a point, goes against the spirit of the Constitution and the value of a unified India. NEP 2020 was formulated through wide range of consultations and has the collective wisdom of the people of India."

“Denying funds to the best-performing states for refusing to bow to the #NEP, while generously rewarding those who are not delivering on the objectives — Is this how the Union BJP Government plans to promote quality education and equity? I leave it to the wisdom of our nation and our people to decide!” Stalin said in a post on X.