T.N. allocated funds for Samagra Shiksha from its own resources to compensate for dues from Centre: Thangam Thennarasu

Prioritising the welfare of schoolchildren, Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu on Friday (March 14, 2025) said the State government has allocated funds from its exchequer to compensate for ₹2,152 crore funds due from the Centre to the State under the Samagra Shiksha scheme.

Presenting the Budget 2025-26, Mr. Thennarasu said the Union government has withheld the approved amount of ₹2,152 crore citing the State’s non-acceptance of the National Education Policy, 2020, which includes the three-language policy. “Despite this, keeping in mind the welfare of students, the State government has allocated funds, including salaries of teachers, from its own resources to ensure that the education of government school students remains unaffected.”

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He also said a total of ₹46,767 crore has been allocated for the School Education Department in 2025-26. The budgetary allocation for the department in 2024-25 was ₹44,042 crore.

The Finance Minister also said under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, the State government has been successfully implementing various student welfare schemes for the past seven years, including the ‘Ennum Ezhuthum Thittam’ to ensure foundational literacy, special education for children with disabilities, transport allowances for students from remote areas, guidance for higher education to shape the future of students, and art festivals to nurture unique talents.

He also recalled poet Bharathidasan’s words and said: ‘Thamizharukku Thondu Seiyum Thamizhanukku Thadai Seiyum Nedunkundrum Thoolaai Pogum’, meaning “any opposition to a Tamilian to work for the betterment of Tamil community will eventually crumble and fail, even if it is a mighty mountain.”

Further, the Minister said under the Perasiriyar Anbazhagan School Development Scheme, an amount of ₹1,000 crore has been allocated to support the development of essential infrastructure, including additional classrooms, science laboratories, and drinking water facilities in government schools. He also said computer labs will be upgraded in 2,000 schools at a cost of ₹160 crore, and 880 hi-tech labs in schools will be upgraded at a cost of ₹56 crore. Further, smart classrooms will be set up in 2,676 government schools at ₹65 crore.

Rescruitment of teachers

Further, the Teachers Recruitment Board will soon release the notification to directly recruit a total of 1,721 postgraduate teachers and 841 graduate teachers, he said, adding that 14 government high schools in remote hilly regions, including Pappireddipatti, Sathyamangalam, Thalavadi, Chinnasalem, Kalvarayan hills, Thally, Kotagiri and Jawadhu hills will be upgraded to higher secondary schools.

In line with Kalaignar Centenary Library at Madurai, the State government will establish new libraries – each housing one lakh books, along with conference hall facilities – in Salem, Cuddalore, and Tirunelveli for the benefit of the public and candidates preparing for competitive examinations, he added.

Published – March 14, 2025 12:15 pm IST