T.N.’s success in education is a result of Dravidian policies, says Udhayanidhi

Tamil Nadu achieves high education enrollment ratio through Dravidian Movement policies, launching scheme to support disadvantaged students.

Tamil Nadu had reached a high Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of 52% at the higher education level, as a result of the policies of the Dravidian Movement, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said on Wednesday.

At an event organised to launch the Kalloori Kanavu (College Dream) 2025 scheme as part of the Naan Mudhalvan programme, Mr. Udhayanidhi said the thrust on education by the Dravidian Movement over the years under leaders such as Periyar E.V. Ramasamy, C.N. Annadurai and M. Karunanidhi had led to outcomes such as reservation that helped spread education far and wide in the State. The national-level GER stood at 29%, and it would take about 10-15 years for the rest of the country to catch up with Tamil Nadu, Mr. Udhayanidhi said.

The government scheme, he said, was aimed at identifying one lakh students who were victims of circumstances, guiding them through the process and enrolling them in institutions of higher learning. This year, 50 youth came out with flying colours in the UPSC exam, while 58 passed competitive exams conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) and the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS), he said. “Your success will encourage many more students undergoing training at government coaching centres across the State,” Mr. Udhayanidhi said.

The inaugural event was streamed live.

Minister for School Education Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi said that beyond the high GER, it was important that the candidates receive quality education and find meaningful employment. “The Naan Mudhalvan scheme ensures that,” he added.

Health Minister Ma. Subramanian, Special Programme Implementation Secretary Pradeep Yadav, School Education Secretary B. Chandramohan, Managing Director of Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation Kranti Kumar Pati, and Mission Director of Naan Mudhalvan Competitive Exams Vertical C. Sudhakar were present.

The 58 students who cleared the competitive exams were among the 510 youth trained in three residential facilities set up in Chennai, Srivilliputhur and Salem at a cost of ₹4.28 crore. Of them, 37 cleared the banking exam, 19 cleared the SSC exam, and two cleared the RRB exam. The candidates underwent coaching for six months before writing the exams.