CHENNAI: The Union education ministry has withheld the first instalment of Rs 573 crore under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) toTamil Nadufor not accepting provisions of the National Education Policy (NEP), such as the three-language formula in the PM Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) scheme.The Project Approval Board has allocated a sum of Rs 3,586 crore under SSA to the state for 2024-2025.Of this amount, theCentre's contribution is Rs 2,152 crore (60%), to be released in four instalments, while state govt's share is Rs1,434 crore (40%). The first instalment should have been received in June, but central govt is yet to respond to the letters and reminders from Tamil Nadu on releasing the amount.With no funds, 15,000-odd teachers including block resource teacher educators (BRTEs), part-time teachers and special teachers, may not get their salary next month. Further, the reimbursement of fees for students enrolled in 25% quota under RTE Act, transport facilities to children in remote areas, teachers training, and self-defence training for girls studying in classes VI to XII are also likely to get affected."SSA scheme has been running in the past few months with the state's share of funds. However, going forward, it will be challenging to run the scheme without the Union govt's contribution. It will affect all the existing schemes and activities of SSA," an official said.During the review meetings held in July in New Delhi, it was emphasised that theMoUfor the establishment of PM-SHRI schools must be signed for the funds to be released."The TN govt has sent the MoU letter to the education ministry for approval by excluding the provision that mandates adherence to the NEP guidelines in PM-SHRI schools. However, this request has been declined," the official added.The MoU also has some specific provisions, including the 5+3+3+4 curricular structure and the introduction of vocational education from class VI, as per the NEP. Tamil Nadu has been following a two-language formula for more than five decades.Kerala, West Bengal, Delhi and Punjab are also yet to sign the MoU for PM-SHRI schools. Education experts criticised the Centre's move. "SSA is supposed to be the top welfare scheme in the field of children's education. Under no circumstances can it be treated like this. It is a very unfortunate development as it could affect lakhs of children from poor backgrounds," said former NCERT director Krishna Kumar.Education activist P B Prince Gajendrababu said Tamil Nadu MPs should raise the issue in Parliament. "SSA Shiksha and PM-SHRI are two different schemes by the Union govt. Both have no connection. There is no justification for the education ministry to say they will not release the funds for SSA until state govt accepts NEP provisions," he added.
