Christian academicians submit inputs for State Edu Policy

CHENNAI: Academicians from Christian Missionary schools and educational associations on Wednesday submitted inputs for the formulation of the State Education Policy (SEP) to the high-level committee of the Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission.

Recently, the commission elicited recommendations and reactions from all sections of stakeholders in the State with regards to SEP. Following which, Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council and Tamil Nadu Catholic Educational Association met Justice D Murugesan, the chairperson of the committee with 50-page draft inputs for SEP.

The draft input stated that the Christian community has joined hands with the government in taking forward the legacy of social justice through its 5,000 educational institutions in the State, functioning in the core concept of public good. Out of 5,000 institutions, 500 are English medium private institutions while the rest 450 schools are Tamil medium government-aided institutions, focusing on the marginalised children.

The draft mandated the education policy to focus on human rights, human dignity, unity and civilisation instead of regionalism, communalism and nationalism.

Further, it also highlighted the importance of keeping education away from commercialisation, which will ensure every child gets equal access to quality education.

Subsequently, some of the suggestions made in the draft are as follows; elementary education to begin from the age of 4, mandatory and free education for all children between the ages of 4 and 18, need to strengthen the Tamil and English mediums of education, special initiatives for differently-abled students, conducting regular exams for Class 10 students instead of board exams to reduce drop outs and the State government being the only responsible body for students enrolment in colleges and universities, including medical admissions.

Lastly, highlighting the need to protect the minority of the State, the draft stated that the identity of any civilised society is ascertained by the sense of security and empowerment opportunity given to the minority --which should be reflected in the SEP.