CHENNAI: Continuing his criticism on Tamil Nadu’s education system, Governor RN Ravi on Thursday claimed that there has been a sharp decline in the quality of education in the state, and teaching standards in government schools have fallen below the national average.
Speaking at the ‘Think to Dare’ series interaction with teachers and educationists at Raj Bhavan, held on the occasion of Teachers’ Day, Ravi said that around 75% of Class 9 TN students could not recognise two-digit numbers and 40% struggle to read Class 2 textbooks, making them unemployable. He warned that this disparity between students in government and private schools could widen, potentially “mortgaging the future of our people.” Rather than “remaining in denial”, there is an urgent need to address these issues."
Ravi also criticised the state’s approach to the rampant drug menace, and underscored the threat posed by chemical and synthetic drugs. He also mentioned how the drug problem corroded Punjab, once a prosperous state, and urged teachers to maintain high educational standards and remain vigilant against drug abuse.
Regarding the PM SHRI school scheme, Ravi said the state government’s stance regarding the scheme is ambiguous and the government is dithering. “When the MoU was to be signed, they first said yes. However, when it came to signing the MoU, they started tinkering with the scheme. Our state has neither signed it, nor rejected it,” he said.
The central government introduced the PM SHRI scheme with an intention to have some schools with enhanced facilities in terms of capabilities and infrastructure for better teaching and learning. It will have a demonstration effect paving the way for other institutions to follow suit, he said.
Answering a question about the implementation of the National Education Policy, he said that there is no alternative to the National Education Policy (NEP). “Even states that are opposing the policy are implementing it at some level. There are already debates about it. The policy is being implemented at an uneven pace. But everyone has to move,” he said.
Governor also felicitated 17 teachers for their exemplary services to the nation on the occasion.