DMK Manifesto Proposes To Abolish NEET And NEP. Here’s What It Says

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has released its manifesto and announced a list of candidates for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. During the launch, CM MK Stalin said, “It is not just a manifesto for DMK but it is a manifesto for the people of Tamil Nadu.” In the field of Education, the DMK promised to abolish NEET and NEP in its manifesto. DMK also promised that the central government examinations, including interviews for the examinations, will be conducted in the regional languages listed, including Tamil. 

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu has been opposing the National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test (NEET) and National Education Policy (NEP 2020) for quite some time. 

Why Is DMK Against NEET?

The DMK opposes the NEET in Tamil Nadu for several reasons, reflecting concerns about its impact on students and the state’s educational system:

1. Disadvantage To Rural Students: NEET benefits students from urban and economically privileged backgrounds with access to coaching centers and resources. This creates a disadvantage for students from rural and disadvantaged areas who lack these resources, putting them at a significant disadvantage in the competitive exam.

2. Language Barrier: NEET is conducted in languages such as English and Hindi, posing a language barrier for students who have studied in regional languages. Tamil Nadu strongly prefers education in its native language, and the language divide could hinder many students from performing to their full potential.

3. Mental Health: The intense competition and high stakes of NEET result in immense stress among students. Tragic incidents of student suicides due to NEET-related stress have raised concerns about the toll on students’ mental health and well-being.

4. Diversity In Curriculum: NEET enforces a standardised syllabus, which may not align with the curriculum followed in state boards. This puts state board students at a disadvantage as they need to adapt to a different pattern of preparation.

5. Impact On State Education System: Tamil Nadu has a well-established education system that emphasizes state board exams. The imposition of NEET disrupts this system and could lead to a shift towards coaching-centered education, undermining the state’s unique approach to learning.

Why Is DMK Against NEP?

The Tamil Nadu government is firmly opposed to the NEP 2020 and there has been no change in its stance just because it has agreed to sign a MoU to establish PM SHRI schools in the State, School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi said.

”We have clearly said that a committee will be formed and that we will accept only what is required for the State as per the guidance of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin,” He added.

1. Elitism And Limited Access: Tamil Nadu argues that the NEP recommended by the Centre caters primarily to elites and will limit educational access to only a few sections of society. This perspective suggests that the NEP fails to address the needs of a diverse and inclusive education system.

2. Three-Language Policy: The state opposes the three-language policy proposed by the NEP, raising concerns about the prominence given to Sanskrit over regional languages like Tamil and others. Tamil Nadu emphasizes the importance of preserving and promoting its native language and questions the unequal treatment in language policy.

Also Read: From NEET Abolition To Appointment Of Governor With CM’s Nod: Highlights Of DMK LS Manifesto

3. State’s Autonomy In Education: Tamil Nadu asserts that education is a crucial domain under the purview of the state government. The intrusion of the NEP into this domain is seen as a threat to the state’s autonomy and its ability to design and implement education policies that suit its unique cultural and social context.

4. Policy Against Social Justice And Federalism: The NEP is viewed by Tamil Nadu as a policy that undermines principles of social justice, federalism, pluralism, and equality. The state argues that the NEP’s framework does not adequately address the diverse needs of different regions and communities within the country, potentially exacerbating existing inequalities.

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