CHENNAI: Amid tussle with the centre, the DMK-led government has decided to fully fund the Samagra Shiksha scheme even if the centre doesn’t release its share of Rs 2,152 crore allocated this year for the schools in the state.
While assuring that the education of students in government schools would not be affected even slightly, Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu reaffirmed the state’s commitment to its bilingual policy, stating that Tamil Nadu would stand by it, even if it means foregoing Rs 2,000 crore.
As far as school education is concerned, Samagra Shiksha is one of the main schemes where the state receives funds from the union government. “Even at this critical juncture, the people of Tamil Nadu have wholeheartedly rallied behind the chief minister for upholding the dignity of the state by standing firm on the bilingual policy,” the finance minister stated. Consequently, the state government has increased the school education budget to Rs 46,767 crore for this year, up from Rs 44,042 crore last year.
Quoting poet Bharathidasan, Thennarasu said, “Any opposition to a Tamilan striving for the welfare of the Tamil community will crumble, even if it is a mighty mountain.”
He also highlighted that Tamil Nadu has successfully implemented various schemes under the Samagra Shiksha over the past seven years.
Key programmes include the Ennum Ezhuthum Thittam to ensure foundational literacy, special education for differently-abled children, transport allowances for students from remote areas, salaries for teachers and infrastructure enhancements, including internet connectivity in schools.
Finance Secretary T Udhayachandran, replying to a question about only a marginal increase in the school department’s allocation this year, said that the government will allocate necessary funds even if the centre does not release the funds.
