Minister rejects R.N. Ravi’s claim on declining standards of learning in government schools in Tamil Nadu

School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi.

Tamil Nadu’s Minister for School Education Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi on Monday rejected the observations made by Governor R.N. Ravi during his Republic Day speech, claiming a “steep decline” in standards of learning in government schools in the State.

During an interaction with reporters here, the Minister charged that the Governor did not make the remarks with genuine concern but with a political flavour.

“The custom is only to uphold our Constitution and extend greetings for the Republic Day during the speech. While we expect the Governor to be the head for entire Tamil Nadu, his actions were akin to being the head of an organisation,” Mr. Poyyamozhi charged.

If remarks were made for the development of Tamil Nadu, they had to be accepted irrespective of who it came from, the Minister contended. According to him, the reality is different – Tamil Nadu has been excelling in education “and the entire country knows it.”

Criticism by the Governor would have two impacts — one make the students feel inferior and another show their teachers in poor light, Mr. Poyyamozhi said. He condemned the observations by the Governor. “Let the parents of students answer to the comments of the Governor”.

The Minister further said the Governor took different stands on different days over various issues. “He keeps changing his stand. He praises the Tamil Nadu government on one day and changes his stand the next day.”

In his Republic Day speech, the Governor said in terms of learning outcome of students especially in schools, Tamil Nadu was among the bottom few States. The annual reports for the last few years on the status of learning in the government schools revealed a very disturbing truth, the Governor had said.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Poyyamozhi inaugurated the smart class room in Government Higher Secondary School at Okkiyam Thuraipakkam near Chennai. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in a social media post recalled having inaugurated the smart classroom in June last year.

Mr. Stalin further said he was happy that the students from these primary schools went on to secure admissions in prestigious higher educational institutions in the country. “Let us say our government schools are our proud identity!”