In yet another bid to buttress the ruling DMK government in Tamil Nadu, the news channel News 18 Tamil Nadu has been caught spreading misleading information to align with the DMK’s narrative that the central government is targeting the state. In its latest claim, the channel falsely reported that there are “zero Tamil teachers in Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) schools in Tamil Nadu,” despite official parliamentary records confirming that 24 Tamil teachers are currently employed in these schools.
On 24 March 2025, News 18 Tamil Nadu published a post claiming, “Number of Tamil teachers in Kendriya Vidyalaya schools in Tamil Nadu – 0. DMK Parliamentary Chairperson, Kanimozhi posted on X.” The post included a news card highlighting that, “The answer given by the central government to the question of the number of permanent teachers appointed to teach Tamil in Kendriya Vidyalaya schools in Tamil Nadu is “0”; but it says that there are 86 teachers to teach Hindi and 65 teachers to teach Sanskrit. BJP government, has the Constitution defined Hindi or Sanskrit as the national language or is that the nationalism that the BJP wants to build? Which mother tongue are you protecting or teaching through Kendriya Vidyalaya schools? The DMK has been opposing this imposition of Hindi and Sanskrit in the guise of a three-language policy for a long time.”
#JUSTIN "தமிழ்நாட்டில் உள்ள கேந்திரிய வித்யாலயா பள்ளிகளில் தமிழ் ஆசிரியர்கள் எண்ணிக்கை-0"
திமுக நாடாளுமன்றக்குழுத் தலைவர் கனிமொழி எக்ஸ் தள பதிவு#Kanimozhi #DMK #CentralGovt #KendriyaVidyalaya #News18tamilnadu | https://t.co/3v5L32pLWJ pic.twitter.com/CaAMBtJdEa
— News18 Tamil Nadu (@News18TamilNadu) March 24, 2025
During a Lok Sabha session on 24 March 2025, DMK Deputy General Secretary and Thoothukkudi MP Kanimozhi raised questions regarding the implementation of the three-language formula in schools across India. She sought details on:
(a) The languages taught under the policy in different states, along with state-wise data.
(b) The number of students enrolled in these languages.
(c) The number of students studying non-Hindi Indian languages in Hindi-speaking states.
(d) The current number of Tamil, Hindi, and Sanskrit teachers in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) in Tamil Nadu.
(e) Whether KVs have any plans to teach students in their mother tongues.
(f) If such plans exist, their details; if not, the reasons for their absence.
In response Minister of State for Education, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, addressed these concerns, stating:
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 upholds the three-language formula, ensuring no language is imposed on any state. The choice of languages remains with the states, regions, and students, provided at least two of the three are Indian languages. Students can switch one or more languages in Grade 6 or 7, as long as they attain basic proficiency in three languages by the end of secondary school. The National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) has been developed to guide the implementation of NEP 2020’s language policies. A state-wise report on schools offering one, two, or three languages, along with student enrollment numbers, has been annexed.
Kendriya Vidyalaya Language Policies in Tamil Nadu
Kendriya Vidyalayas operate under a uniform education policy and officially sanction Hindi, English, and Sanskrit as language subjects. However, students in Classes VI to VIII can opt for other languages under Article 112 of the Kendriya Vidyalaya Education Code, provided at least 15 students enroll. In such cases, part-time contractual teachers can be hired. Currently, 24 Tamil teachers are engaged on a part-time contractual basis in Kendriya Vidyalayas across Tamil Nadu. Additionally, Tamil is taught in 21 Kendriya Vidyalayas through the Tamil Virtual Academy (TVA), an initiative by the Tamil Nadu government. At present, there are 86 Hindi teachers and 65 Sanskrit teachers in KVs across Tamil Nadu.
Despite official data confirming that 24 Tamil teachers are engaged on a part-time contractual basis in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) across Tamil Nadu, and that Tamil is taught in 21 KVs through the Tamil Virtual Academy (TVA), News 18 Tamil Nadu conveniently omitted these details. Instead, the channel, which has been accused of favoring the ruling DMK government, falsely reported that “0” Tamil teachers were employed in Kendriya Vidyalayas.
Excerpt from Parliamentary answer reads, “Kendriya Vidyalayas are “specified category” schools as defined in Right to Education (RTE) Act and have been established with a mandate to have a uniform scheme of education. Therefore, the sanctioned posts of language teachers are that of Hindi, English and Sanskrit. However, there is an enabling provision for teaching of other languages for the willing students between classes VI to VIII vide Art 112 of the Education Code for Kendriya Vidyalaya. As per this provision, a teacher can be engaged on part time contractual basis if 15 or more students opt for it. The teachers engaged in Kendriya Vidyalayas on part time contractual basis for teaching of Tamil as opted by the students is 24. Additionally, learning of Tamil language in 21 KVs is being undertaken through Tamil Virtual Academy (TVA), an autonomous organization under Tamil Nadu State for the students interested in learning of the language. There are 86 Hindi and 65 Sanskrit faculty working in the state of Tamil Nadu at present.”
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