It is shocking that in Tamil Nadu over 7.29 lakh students have failed in Tamil and English language papers, which is a real concern for all. This is clear proof of the declining quality and standards of education in government schools.
A recent assessment has revealed alarming gaps in foundational learning among government school students in Tamil Nadu. Out of 16.08 lakh students enrolled in Classes 6 to 9 across 38 districts, 7.29 lakh students, about 45.38% failed to demonstrate basic proficiency in reading, writing, and arithmetic. For them, special classes are now being conducted to improve their learning skills.
In Tamil Nadu, over 16 lakh students are studying in Classes 6 to 9 in 38 districts. Skill tests were conducted for more than 8 lakh students. According to the Tamil daily Dinamalar, tests were conducted from July 8 to 10 in Tamil, English and Mathematics. The results, declared on July 28, showed that more than 7 lakh students had failed miserably. It can be inferred that 45.83% of students studying in Classes 6 to 9 lacked basic knowledge in these subjects.
In Nilgiris district, the highest number of students failed are 6,322 students (67.41%), Perambalur came next with 10,741 students failing (65.85%), followed by Tiruchi with 29,806 students (55.34%), and Chennai with 31,233 (54.47%).
It appears that most of the students in government high schools cannot read lessons meant for Classes 1 to 5. They cannot solve simple arithmetic problems. These facts have been repeatedly highlighted in various studies. However, the DMK government headed by Chief Minister Stalin has consistently denied such survey results.
It is pertinent to note here the observations of Tamil Nadu Governor R. N. Ravi. He recently said: “Tamil Nadu youth study in government-run schools and are mostly from poor and marginalised sections. The standards of teaching and learning are sharply declining in these schools.” Citing the ASER report, the Governor observed: “More than 50% of high school students cannot do simple maths or read primary school textbooks. Public education in Tamil Nadu is in steady decline. Students are merely passing with certificates and without job opportunities.”
Taking to his social media handle in February 2025, former Tamil Nadu BJP chief K. Annamalai said: “TN has lost its sheen and is at the bottom of the table in numeracy and basic language proficiency (Tamil). Thiru M. K. Stalin and his coterie should be ashamed of bringing down the quality of education, politicising education, and depriving the children of Tamil Nadu of equal opportunities and world-class education.”
TN has lost its sheen and is at the bottom of the table in numeracy and basic language proficiency (Tamil). Thiru @mkstalin and his coterie should be ashamed of bringing down the quality of education, politicising Education, and depriving the Children of Tamil Nadu of equal… https://t.co/Nymrnof7ZC
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) February 9, 2025
In another post, Annamalai added:
“The DMK Government in TN lacks the vision to upgrade educational infrastructure in government schools and colleges, which would bridge the gap in proficiency that has constantly put TN in a bad light over the last few years. The DMK Government has stonewalled our Honourable PM Thiru Narendra Modi avl’s initiatives and deprived the people of TN from benefiting from central government programmes. It’s time for TN CM Thiru M. K. Stalin to answer the question: Is your bloated ego taking precedence over the upgradation of educational institutions in TN?”
The DMK Government in TN lacks the vision to upgrade Educational Infrastructure in Government Schools/Colleges in Tamil Nadu, which would bridge the gap of proficiency that has constantly put TN in a bad light in the last few years. The DMK Government has stonewalled our… pic.twitter.com/XhP7BodH5E
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) July 29, 2024
The DMK government has stubbornly refused to implement NEP-2020 but recently unveiled its own SEP, which, according to educationists, borrows heavily from the NEP.
The State government’s efforts to boost Tamil through the two-language policy in education, while opposing Hindi in government schools, remains a subject of debate. In CBSE schools, mostly attended by middle- and upper-middle-class children, students can study three or more languages. But this option is denied to government school children. Notably, many CBSE schools are owned by politicians. The DMK government also opposes Navodaya schools, as they would affect the business interests of CBSE schools.
Another controversial decision of the DMK government came in July this year. The Directorate of Elementary Education (DEE), responding to media reports about school closures, confirmed that 1,204 schools in Tamil Nadu including 208 government schools have been shut down this academic year due to zero enrolment. This included 869 unaided, 114 aided, 11 partially-aided and two run by the Union government. Officials cited declining birth rates and migration from villages to towns and cities as the main reasons.
On August 14, AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami severely criticised the Tamil Nadu government for the closure of 207 government schools due to poor enrolment. He called the situation “disgraceful” and held both the State government and the Minister for School Education, Anbil Mahesh, responsible. Palaniswami argued that the decision primarily benefits private institutions, particularly those owned by leaders and functionaries of the ruling DMK.
In March this year, School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi reaffirmed that the State’s education system does not require changes, as it has consistently produced top professionals, thinkers, and innovators. However, instead of congratulating himself, he should recognise the ground reality. In a post on X in March, he said:
“Why disrupt a system that works better than the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which follows a one-size-fits-all model? Don’t fix what isn’t broken. Tamil Nadu’s education system delivers, while the NEP 2020 disrupts!”
Meanwhile, on August 25, Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagenthran issued a strong statement condemning the State government for its alleged failure to protect girl students in government schools, following shocking allegations by students at a Coimbatore school.
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