Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has accused the Union government of creating hurdles in the State’s education policy despite nationwide recognition of its achievements. Speaking at Kalviyil Sirantha Tamil Nadu (Tamil Nadu that Excels in Education) in Chennai on September 25, Stalin said the State’s initiatives such as the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme and other welfare programmes have attracted praise across India, with many States beginning to adopt them. He alleged that instead of supporting these measures, the Union government was trying to block Tamil Nadu’s progress.
I am writing about this because Tamil Nadu’s education model has become a point of discussion not just within the State but across India. With schemes focused on nutrition, accessibility, and equity, Tamil Nadu has set benchmarks that other States are now keen to follow.
This is an important debate because education policy directly shapes the future of children and the overall social fabric. When a State government claims that its growth is being stifled, it raises larger questions about the relationship between State policies and the Centre’s control. By discussing this, we can better understand how education is not only a social issue but also a matter of political dialogue in India.
Tamil Nadu’s education achievements
Over the years, Tamil Nadu has introduced several pioneering schemes that have improved school enrolment, reduced dropouts, and ensured equity. Some highlights include:
- Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme – provides free nutritious breakfast to schoolchildren to improve concentration and attendance.
- Mid-day meal scheme – Tamil Nadu was one of the first States to successfully implement this, which has since inspired a national programme.
- Scholarship and fee waiver schemes – targeted at first-generation learners and underprivileged groups to make higher education accessible.
- Digital learning initiatives – smart classrooms and blended learning models are being rolled out in government schools.
These efforts have drawn attention from other States, including Telangana, whose CM Revanth Reddy recently announced that the breakfast scheme would be introduced in his State from the next academic year.
Politics around education growth
Stalin’s remarks underline the political tensions that arise when State achievements become models for replication. While Tamil Nadu sees itself as a leader in education reforms, it also feels constrained by policies set by the Union government. Such friction is not new—education has often been a shared but contested responsibility between the Centre and the States.
