Former Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai has strongly criticized DMK’s School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh, following the circulation of a viral video that showed young students cleaning toilets at a government primary school in Pudukottai district.

The video, reportedly taken at the Namanasamudram Residential Panchayat Union Primary School in Thekkattur Panchayat, features children from Classes 1 to 5 being instructed to clean the school toilets. The footage, which surfaced online on 10 July triggered public outrage and widespread condemnation.

Reacting to the incident on his official X account, Annamalai wrote, “A video showing students cleaning toilets at the Namanasamudram Residential Panchayat Union Primary School in Thekkattur Panchayat, Pudukottai District, is deeply shocking. Tamil Nadu schools are already in a deplorable state, lacking classrooms, clean drinking water facilities, and sufficient teachers while making primary school students under the age of ten to be made to clean toilets demonstrates the extent of degradation how the School Education Department gone.”

He further criticized Minister Anbil Mahesh, stating, “The Minister for School Education, who is still working with a fan club mentality, has, for the past four years, done nothing for the education sector other than participating in publicity stunts with the Chief Minister. Does the School Education Minister even know that making children under ten clean toilets is a crime by law?”

புதுக்கோட்டை மாவட்டம் தேக்காட்டூர் ஊராட்சி, நமணசமுத்திரம் குடியிருப்பு ஊராட்சி ஒன்றிய தொடக்கப்பள்ளியில், மாணவ மாணவியர்களை வைத்து, கழிவறை சுத்தம் செய்ய வைத்த காணொளி மிகுந்த அதிர்ச்சியளிக்கிறது.

தமிழகப் பள்ளிகள் ஏற்கனவே, வகுப்பறைக் கட்டிடம் இல்லாமல், சுத்தமான குடிநீர் வசதி… pic.twitter.com/9c81Zzdpz3

— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) July 14, 2025

The incident prompted an immediate response from education officials. When questioned by the media, Pudukottai District Principal Education Officer Shanmugam confirmed the authenticity of the video. He stated that he personally visited the school for a preliminary inquiry. Since teachers were not present during his visit, he spoke to local residents, who confirmed that students had indeed been asked to clean toilets.

Shanmugam added that a detailed investigation would be carried out at the school and assured that disciplinary action would be taken against any staff found responsible for the incident.

Approximately 30 students are enrolled at the school, which serves children from Classes 1 to 5. The event has sparked fresh concerns over child safety, school hygiene, and the enforcement of child labor laws in Tamil Nadu’s government schools.

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The post BJP Leader Annamalai Slams DMK Education Minister Anbil Mahesh After Viral Video Shows Children Cleaning Toilets In Pudukottai Primary School appeared first on The Commune.

Senior BJP leader and National Executive Committee Member H Raja launched a fierce attack on the Dravidian ecosystem especially its ally Thirumavalavan mocking their criticism following the successful completion of the Hindu Munnani-organized Murugan Devotees Conference in Madurai.

While speaking to reporters in Kancheepuram, Raja described the event as a “joyous occasion,” especially observing anguished reactions from Dravidian sympathizers. He remarked, “The success of the Murugan Devotees’ Conference held by the Hindu Munnani in Madurai was tremendous, it has also been a joyous sight to especially witnessi the wails of these “Dravidian stocks.” But I wonder, will all these “Dravidian stocks” truly be fools? Because these evil forces have now stooped to asking for domicile certificates for Parameswaran and Parvati.”

Directing a scathing critique at VCK leader and MP Thol. Thirumavalavan, Raja accused him of routinely making provocative and divisive statements. “Thirumavalavan, known for his erratic and provocative speeches is crossing all limits with his words. We/Hindus will be compelled to go door-to-door and ask not to vote for this evil force Thirumavalavan, his party, or his alliance. This is because, is Paramasivan a Tamilian? Is Parvati a Tamilian?” he said.

Raja further challenged Thirumavalavan’s selective targeting of Hindu beliefs, asking, “I ask, does this evil force Thirumavalavan have the courage to speak about the Arabian gods or the Jerusalem gods? How dare you speak this way? Has Hinduism become so easy (thokka)? Khabardar! Shut your mouth, I say!”

He also didn’t hold back criticism against DMK Ministers Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi and P.K. Sekar Babu, sarcastically referring to the latter as “Hallelujah Babu” for allegedly favouring Christian sentiments. Responding to Sekar Babu questioning actor-politician Pawan Kalyan’s presence at the event, Raja retorted in Telugu, “Meeru evarandi? Cheppandi!” (Who are you? Tell me!)

Addressing the controversy surrounding a video reportedly denigrating Dravidian leaders like EV Ramasamy Naicker (also known as Periyar) and Annadurai, Raja denied any intent to offend. He clarified that the video merely showcased Hindu Munnani’s 42-year journey and lauded its founder Rama Gopalan as a tireless advocate for Hindu causes.

Turning to political alliances, Raja recounted how partnerships with the BJP had benefitted regional parties in the past. “In 1998, when PMK allied with the BJP, they won five MP seats. That same year, AIADMK and BJP together won 30 out of 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu,” he recalled.

He stressed that facts should not be twisted, pointing out that after AIADMK withdrew support from the BJP, the DMK formed an alliance with them, and the new coalition still secured a significant (2/3rd) number of seats nationally. “People claim BJP alliances won’t work, but history proves otherwise,” he said.

Raja also launched a no-holds-barred attack on the current DMK-led Tamil Nadu government, calling it “corrupt, liquor, and drug menace government will be dethroned.” He accused several actors of being caught in drug-related scandals and held Health Minister Ma. Subramanian accountable for failing to tackle the crisis. He also alleged that Tamil Nadu now ranks first followed by Punjab in drug-related issues.

Raja concluded by calling Thirumavalavan a divisive force who, in his words, “insults the Hindu community as a whole.” He warned of consequences if the VCK leader continued with hate-filled and slanderous remarks.

எனக்கு பார்க்க ரொம்ப சந்தோஷமா இருக்கு.. வம்புக்கு இழுத்த எச்.ராஜா..!#HRaja #BJP #MuruganManadu #DMK #MKStalin #Sekarbabu #VCK #Thirumavalavan #TamilNews #NewsTamil #NewsTamil24x7 pic.twitter.com/PL6XAgBTip

— News Tamil 24×7 (@NewsTamilTV24x7) June 26, 2025

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The post “Does Thirumavalavan Have The Guts To Speak About Arabic And Jerusalem Gods?” BJP Leader H Raja Thunders appeared first on The Commune.

At a time when multiple disturbing incidents in Dravidian model run government schools have come to light ranging from students being served worm-infested mid-day meals to children being forced to carry bricks for school construction, Dravidianist actor Karthi whose family remain subservient to the DMK first family heaped praises on School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh saying that government schools under him are functioning superbly.

Participating in the centenary celebrations of the Sulur Government School, actor Karthi stated,
“In Tamil Nadu, around 65 lakh children are studying in government schools, while the remaining 40 lakh or so are studying in private schools. So, for nearly three-fourths of students living in rural areas, their only hope for education is the government schools. In that regard, government schools are functioning very well. All the students who are currently at Agaram (Foundation) also come from a background of having studied in government schools.”

However, his remarks have not gone down well with many netizens, who were quick to point out the disconnect between his statement and the ground reality. Social media users criticized Karthi and his family’s consistent support of the DMK, sarcastically questioning, “If government schools are doing so well, why did your brother, actor Suriya, send his children to study in Mumbai? Are they enrolled in any government-run school?”

பின்ன எதுக்கு சூர்யா அண்ணன் மும்பை ல தன்னோட குழந்தைகளை படிக்க வைக்கிறார்?? pic.twitter.com/UvQ36e99H7

— Manikandan (@manikandan_cpkm) June 13, 2025

But is the reality as rosy as actor Karthi claims? Evidence suggests otherwise. In truth, many government schools in Tamil Nadu continue to face serious challenges: lack of basic infrastructure, students forced to share a single functional toilet, children studying under trees due to the absence of classrooms, mid-day meals that reek of foul odor, and, in some cases, students being made to carry construction materials or perform other manual tasks. These ground realities paint a far more troubling picture than the one being projected.

Administrative Failures

Let’s take a look at how the administration has deteriorated over the past few years under the DMK government.

• On 12 June 2025, Kallakurichi government school students were served with food contaminated with worms and bugs. Students in a viral video emotionally pleading with the state’s education minister for clean and safe mid-day meals. According to reports, the mid-day meal served was prepared using rice that had been stored unused for over a month during the summer break. As a result, the food was spoiled, filled with worms, and emitted a strong foul odor.
• On 12 June 2025Students at CV Government School in Thoothukudi were compelled to carry hollow bricks for ongoing school construction work.
• On 2 June 2025, students at Tirunelveli’s Manakavalam Pillai Nagar government school continue to face poor conditions as a new building promised three years ago remains incomplete, forcing them to study in a temporary rented space with just one shared restroom. DMK councillor Indira led a protest, criticizing her own party for neglecting the project and demanding urgent action.
• On 5 April 2025, Two staff members at a government primary school in Kollamedu were arrested for assaulting a fifth-grade student who questioned the missing eggs during lunch. The student confronted staff after finding eggs hidden in the kitchen, prompting the cook and assistant to attack her with a broom.
• On 26 March 2025, Ponnagaram villagers protested against the government as students at the Government High School have been forced to study under tree shades and temporary sheds for six years due to the lack of proper classrooms, despite the school’s strong academic performance. The school serves 272 students with only two classrooms and one toilet, forcing villagers to build makeshift shelters.
• On 10 March 2025,  Students at a government school in Thiruvallur were compelled by their headmaster and teachers to carry bricks on a holiday. Locals have accused the headmaster of mistreating the students and disregarding multiple warnings about this forced labor.
• On 9 November 2024, a government-aided girls’ school in VK Puram, near Ambasamudram, screened Tamil films such as Vijay’s ‘GOAT’ to senior students and Rajinikanth’s ‘Vettaiyan’ to younger students, with charges of ₹25 and ₹10 per student, respectively.
• The government secondary school in Theethipalayam, Coimbatore, faced a severe classroom shortage, leading to a decline in student admissions and forcing existing students to attend classes under trees and in the parking area. Despite ongoing construction, about 100 students in classes 8 and 9 are left without proper facilities.
• On 27 August 2024, three students were injured when a section of the ceiling plaster fell on them during class at a government-run school in Krishnagiri. The accident raised significant concerns about the safety and structural integrity of the building, which had only been opened two months ago with MPLADS fund. In another similar incident July 2024, a ceiling of a newly constructed Panchayat Union Middle School near Kanchipuram collapsed, wher the building, completed three months prior.
• On August 2024, another ceiling of a classroom at a government school in Thiruporur collapsed, injuring five female students and sparking protests from parents who questioned the quality of the construction.
• On 12 June 2024, the administration of St. Paul’s Girls’ Higher Secondary School in Mayiladuthurai forced students to clean their classrooms to “instill” discipline, a practice exposed when a ninth-grade student refused and was slapped by a teacher.
• The Government Higher Secondary School in Mogappair, Chennai, became a site of student distress due to poor conditions, including unhygienic facilities and unsafe infrastructure. Girl students raised alarming concerns that they were subjected to verbal harassment and forced cleaning duties, with teachers complicit in the mistreatment.
• In 2023, a disturbing video went viral showing mentally challenged students at a Tamil Nadu government-aided school, run by the Church of South India (CSI), being forced to clean toilets. The students, attending the CSI School for the Mentally Challenged in Sivakasi, were reportedly made to perform this task as part of their school routine. The incident, involving over 100 students, sparked outrage after the video was shared on social media.

Proselytization Attempts At Govt Schools

So far, we only saw the regular failures. Did you know that government schools even became a targt for proselytization? Take a look at the number of times this happened.

• On 2 May 2025, schoolchildren in Pollachi were taken without parental consent from a government school to a church, where they were forced to pray and undergo religious instruction under the guise of a health awareness camp. Parents, shocked by the incident and the attempt at religious conversion, confronted the organizers and rescued their children, leading to police filing a case against those involved.
• In October 2024, the headmistress of Government High School in Diwanshah Pudur allowed Friday Namaz to be held on school premises, disrupting the secular environment. The prayers have been conducted regularly such practices may cause religious discord and mental distress as the school serves a diverse student body
• In August 2023, protests erupted in Acchankuttam village, Tenkasi, over concerns that a government-aided Christian school was engaging in proselytization. The Tahsildar filed a complaint, leading to police action against 12 individuals accused of inciting communal unrest by mobilizing Hindu parents to withdraw their children from the school. The case stems from fears of religious conversion within the school.
• In 2022, Beatrice Thangam, a tailoring teacher at a government school in Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, was accused of making objectionable remarks about Hindus and attempting to preach Christianity to her students. A Class 6 student revealed in a video that Thangam referred to Hindus as “sathaan” (devil), forced students to read the Bible, and even made them kneel and recite Christian prayers. The teacher allegedly pressured Hindu students to stitch Christian crosses and dismissed the Bhagavad Gita as “bad.”
• In 2022, a 17 year old girl studying at Sacred Heart Higher Secondary School in Thirukattupalli near Thanjavur, committed suicide by drinking poison after she was allegedly tortured to convert to Christianity by the school for her to continue her studies.

Caste Pride & Violence

For all the credit that the Dravidianists claim for “eradicating caste”, we have seen a huge surge in caste violence in schools. Here are a few such instances:

• A 10th-grade student at a government-aided school in Sripuram, Tirunelveli, was dismissed for carrying weapons, including a sickle and knives, after a student clash. The weapons were discovered during a routine bag check on 18 September 2024. .
• On 30 July 2024, two students at the Government Higher Secondary School in Valliyoor, Tirunelveli, were injured in a caste-related clash triggered by derogatory remarks about a specific caste written on a toilet wall.
• In December 2023, students from Periyar Government Higher Secondary School in Cheranmahadevi attacked students from a nearby polytechnic college over caste issues, leaving one student stabbed.
• On August 2023, three students from a dominant caste assaulted a Scheduled Caste teenager and his sister in Nanguneri. The violence resulted in injuries and hospitalisations, shocking the community. 
• On 1 July 2024, another instance of caste-based pride sparked a clash among 12th-grade students at Rosalind Chelliah Government Higher Secondary School in Maruthakulam village, Nanguneri, Tirunelveli.

Sexual Assault/Harassment At Govt Schools Surged

If caste violence and other administrative failures weren’t enough, the government schools also saw sexual assault cases peak under the DMK.

• On February 2025, Kumaresan (57), a lab assistant at a government school in Salem, was arrested under the POCSO Act for allegedly sexually harassing female students.
• A second-grade student at Podhavur government primary school in Trichy was allegedly sexually assaulted by teacher Jayaraj Susainathan while cleaning the classroom. Following a complaint from the parents, Jayaraj was arrested. It has been revealed that there have been sexual harassment complaints against him for the past decade, with the teacher reportedly threatening the students and their families during this time.
• A 58-year-old assistant headmaster of a government high school in Pudukottai was arrested on 17 February 2025 under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for allegedly sexually harassing multiple girl students.
• Sivakumar, a 40-year-old temporary physical education teacher, allegedly sexually harassed the 11th grade student and violated her by making inappropriate comments about her appearance. Following an investigation Omalur All Women Police Station registered a case under the POCSO Act.
• 3 Govt School Teachers – Arumugam (48), Chinnaswamy (57), and Prakash (37) in Krishnagiri arrested under the POCSO Act for Gang-Raping a 8th grade student resulting in pregnancy and an abortion
• Ilayakannu, a 37-year-old teacher from Neyyamali, Bettanayakkanpalayam, Salem district, had been arrested under POCSO act for sexually harassing 10th and 11th grade students at the Yercaud government higher secondary school.
• On 3 September 2024, Dr. S. Samson Daniel (31), a government doctor, was arrested under the POCSO Act on sexually assaulting minor girls at a hostel affiliated with a government-aided school in Trichy. His mother, S. Grace Sagayarani (54), who is the headmistress of the school, was also taken into custody for helping to cover up the offenses.
• On August 2024, a 13-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by a Naam Tamizhar Katchi (NTK) functionary named Sivaraman during a fake National Cadet Corps (NCC) camp at a private school near Bargur in  Krishnagiri district.
• A math teacher Sundara Vadivelu working at a corporation school at Noyyal Road in Tiruppur was arrested for sexually harassing multiple students, and allegedly targeted seventh-grade students over the past few months. Sources indicate that more than ten children have come forward with complaints so far.
• Suresh, a Tamil teacher at Ariyalur Government School, was arrested under the POCSO Act for sexually harassing a 6th-grade student. He threatened the student’s life to keep it secret, but she informed her parents, who then filed a police complaint.

Substance Abuse

A Chennai school in Kalyanapuram, Vyasarpadi, has become a hotspot for underage substance abuse, with students as young as pre-teens consuming beer and tobacco. A report on 23 August 2024, revealed a Class IX girl drinking beer in the classroom on her birthday, with her Class VII brother purchasing it, while three Class X boys were caught smoking Beedis. These incidents highlight a disturbing trend of substance abuse among students at the school.

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(Image Credit: Nakkheeran)

For the past six years, students at Ponnagaram Government High School, located near Aranthangi in Pudukkottai district, have been forced to study outdoors under the shade of trees due to the lack of proper classrooms. Only temporary tin shed structures have been provided. The students, who come from disadvantaged fishing communities, have urged the government to construct a proper building for their school.

Ponnagaram Government High School, situated in the Manamelkudi union on the east coast, was upgraded to a high school in 2017. Despite the school’s consistent success in maintaining a 100% pass rate in the 10th-grade public examinations until last year, it has yet to receive any dedicated classrooms. The school currently serves 272 students, with 60 10th-grade students set to sit for their public exams. While the school has one toilet unit for the students, no classroom buildings have been constructed in the eight years since it was upgraded to a high school.

When the school transitioned from a middle school to a high school, the existing three-classroom building for the middle school was taken over. One of these classrooms has been converted into a computer lab with 11 computers, while the other two are shared by the 10th and 11th-grade students. Despite repeated petitions by the Parents’ Teachers Association (PTA), parents, and villagers to various officials, including the District Collector, Education Department, ministers, and MPs, the situation has not improved.

Seeing the hardships their children endured in the heat and rain, villagers took it upon themselves to build a two-classroom structure, though there was still no place for students in 6th and 7th grades. The teachers, out of their generosity, built a large tin shed, but during extreme weather, many students are forced to sit in the shade of trees, much like they did in earlier years. The PTA and School Management Committee (SMC) have once again started a campaign to demand a proper classroom building for the students who have been suffering in these conditions.

Since the school was upgraded to a high school in 2017, it has achieved remarkable success, with teachers dedicated to providing quality education. However, due to the lack of proper infrastructure, the school cannot accommodate students from nearby villages who seek admission. The existing two classrooms, originally meant for middle school, have 55-60 students each, making it impossible to divide the classes effectively. As a result, the classes have remained as single units. In addition, the school has only one toilet unit meant for 168 students, which is inadequate and causes further hardship. Despite repeated requests to build more classrooms, no action has been taken.

Speaking to the media, a student said, “We are studying under a shed built by the people of our town. When there is a power outage, extremely sweats, and we can’t sit. During such times, we have to move out and study under the trees. That’s why we need a proper building.”

One of the villagers, expressing frustration to the media, said, “They keep saying to provide 10 and 15 classrooms over and over… everything is on paper but nothing is being done. The government should at least construct two classrooms this academic year to resolve this issue, so that students can study well and happily.”

100 % தேர்ச்சி பெற்ற அரசுப் பள்ளி.. மரத்தடியில் இருந்து கோரிக்கை வைக்கும் மாணவர்கள்#governmentschool #tamilnadugovernment #thanthitv pic.twitter.com/362sjjTuCh

— Thanthi TV (@ThanthiTV) March 26, 2025

The villagers and teachers have expressed their frustration, with the students deciding to boycott the 10th-grade public exams unless their demands for a proper building are met. The teachers, however, stress the importance of the exams and hope that a boycott will draw the attention of officials to address their concerns. It is a painful reality for these students, as they are deprived of the basic infrastructure needed for their education.

In response to these concerns, the District Education Officer stated that inspections have been conducted at schools with shortages, and a request for new buildings has been sent. Schools in Ponnagaram, Kottayapattinam, and Thirunalur South are on the list for new construction, and steps will be taken soon.

The children of poor fishing families, who have long been denied proper educational facilities, deserve better opportunities. The future of the 60 students in Ponnagaram Government High School who are set to take their 10th-grade exams now lies in the hands of the authorities.

(With Inputs From Nakkheeran)

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The post Dravidian Model School: Students At Ponnagaram Government High School Struggle Without Classrooms And Study Under Temporary Tin Sheds And Trees For 6 Years appeared first on The Commune.

Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai has bashed on the DMK’s stance against the National Education Policy (NEP), countering their anti-national education narrative. Speaking at a public meeting in Trichy on 23 March 2025, organized by the Tamil Nadu BJP to explain the new education policy, Annamalai emphasized the massive public support for the signature campaign launched by the BJP. He revealed that the campaign had already gathered 27 lakh signatures in just 18 days, with a goal of reaching 1 crore signatures by the end of May.

Refuting the DMK’s claims, Annamalai reminded the public that education policies in India were not introduced by the BJP. He explained that the first National Education Policy (NEP) was implemented in 1968, followed by the second in 1986, which was later revised. The current NEP, introduced under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is only the third in independent India’s history.

A committee was formed under PM Modi’s directive to revise and modernize the education system, and its recommendations were submitted in 2019. One of its key proposals was that students should study in their mother tongue from Classes 1 to 5, a practice that has led to remarkable educational progress in countries like Japan, China, and Germany. Despite Tamil being recognized as the primary language of instruction under the NEP, the DMK deliberately misleads the public, refusing to acknowledge this.

Furthermore, the policy aimed to extend Tamil-medium instruction to Classes 6, 7, and 8, while recommending that students learn an additional Indian language instead of making Hindi mandatory. Contrary to DMK’s accusations, it was actually the Congress-DMK alliance that had historically imposed Hindi when they were in power.

In a fiery attack, Annamalai criticized several DMK ministers, questioning whether those with criminal backgrounds and corrupt histories should have any say in shaping Tamil Nadu’s education policies.

He pointed out that Tamil Nadu’s Education Minister, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, seemed more interested in promoting Udhayanidhi Stalin than focusing on education. Mocking his priorities, Annamalai called him the ‘real leader’ of the Akhil Ulaga Udhayanidhi Fan Club, stating that instead of working for education reforms, he spends his time organizing events for Udhayanidhi Stalin.

Annamalai said, “Why don’t the DMK members understand the power because no one earned it through studies. Sister Tamilisai said, ‘Look at this! I studied and passed in how many subjects.’ Do we know if Udhayanidhi Stalin has a degree? We don’t know. Where did he study? Unknown. Who wrote his exam papers? Unknown. The Education Minister of Tamil Nadu, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, hails from this town, yet he seems to have a more important responsibility than this (overseeing education). He is the leader of the Akhil Ulaga Udhayanidhi Fan Club. I’m not saying this for applause. The real head of Agila Ulaga Udhayanidhi Fan Club (Global Udhyanidhi Fan Club) Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi. He spends his time organizing song launch events, following Udhayanidhi Stalin around. After all this, if he finds any spare time, he might talk about the education department. But what do they actually know about education? Think about it. Do they know what your children should study? They don’t.”

Highlighting the tainted pasts of DMK’s Textile Minister R. Gandhi, Annamalai said, “Take an individual named Gandhi—one might assume he is like (Mahatma) Gandhi. But in the 1990s, he was jailed under the Goondas Act for brewing bootleg liquor and later became the Minister Gandhi. Look at the history of each.”

Calling out DMK Minister Prohibition and Excise, He said, “Senthil Balaji who jumped five parties and become Liquor Minister. He served one and a half years in jail. Who knows if he’ll serve another five or ten years? Yet, he is a minister.”

Then taking out the DMK Minsiter of HR&CE, He said, “Then there’s Sekar Babu, the Minister of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department . He was once in the Chennai’s rowdy sheeter. A person whose name was in the rowdy history register is now Minister of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. Can you imagine? Will the country prosper this way?”

Taking out on DMK’s Law Regupathy, He said, “Minister Regupathy, from a neighboring district, has an ongoing case against him for amassing assets beyond his income. He is in charge of the Prisons & Law Department. Think about it—Will the country prosper this way?”

Annamalai warned that criminals and corrupt politicians deciding education policies would only lead to disaster, saying, “Look at the history of each and every minister. These joint thieves, are coming together to decide what our children should study. If a rowdy teaches a class, we will get rowdy students. If a good teacher teaches, we will get good students. These thieves who have been to jail, looted public money, been a rowdy, and engaged in bootlegging are discussing about how Tamil Nadu’s  education policy should be, Will you agree to that?”

Annamalai emphasized that while the educational vision of Karmaveer Kamaraj, the policies of MGR, and the reforms introduced by Prime Minister Modi can be respected and accepted, an education system shaped by corrupt politicians, criminals, and lawbreakers cannot be trusted.

He urged the people of Tamil Nadu to reject the DMK’s misleading propaganda and support an education system built on merit and integrity.

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Amid the ongoing debate over the three-language policy, the ruling DMK and its ministers appear determined to justify the government’s stance. However, School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi went a step further by making a misleading claim that Tamil Nadu is the only state in India to have allocated ₹55,000 crore solely for education.

This statement contradicts the reality that states like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar have spent more than ₹55,000 crore on education, directly challenging the minister’s assertion. His claim, seemingly made to reinforce DMK’s position, backfired and triggered a heated online debate over its accuracy.

Speaking at the ‘Rights of State Education’ convention organized by the Students Federation of India (SFI), DMK School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi highlighted the increasing budget allocation for education under the current government. He stated, “After the change of government, the allocation started at ₹32,000 crores and increased to ₹36,000 crores, ₹40,000 crores, and ₹44,000 crores. Yesterday, regardless of the number of departments, it was confirmed that ₹46,767 crores were allocated to a single department, specifically our school education department. Additionally, ₹8,000 crores were allocated for higher education, bringing Tamil Nadu’s total education budget to ₹55,000 crores. We take pride in being the state that allocated the most funds in India.”

#WATCH | "இந்தியாவிலேயே ஒட்டுமொத்தமாகக் கல்விக்கு என ரூ.55,000 கோடியை ஒதுக்கிய மாநிலம் தமிழ்நாடுதான்" -அமைச்சர் அன்பில் மகேஸ் பொய்யாமொழி பெருமிதம்#SunNews | @Anbil_Mahesh | @mkstalin pic.twitter.com/ZVGlDdofZt

— Sun News (@sunnewstamil) March 15, 2025

Contradicting DMK School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi’s claim, the Bihar government presented its 2025-26 budget on 3 March 2025, with a total estimated expenditure of ₹3,16,895.02 crore. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who also oversees the finance portfolio, announced that the state would allocate ₹60,954 crore for education—a figure exceeding the ₹55,000 crore claimed by Anbil Mahesh for Tamil Nadu.

Similarly, in Maharashtra, while no new schemes or initiatives were introduced, the state budget allocated ₹83.11 crore for education under the School Education and Sports Department—an increase from the ₹75.57 crore allocated in the 2024-25 revised estimates.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh’s 2025-26 budget allocated a substantial ₹1.06 lakh crore for education, further disproving Anbil Mahesh’s assertion.

Now, the DMK minister’s claim that Tamil Nadu has the highest education budget in India at ₹55,000 crore is facing widespread ridicule on social media, with statistics proving otherwise.

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Tamil Nadu BJP president Annamalai called out the hypocrisy of DMK School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh as he participated in an event at The Pupil Saveetha Eco School, a private CBSE institution that recently received a Platinum+ rating from the QS I-GAUGE system. The event was also attended by Avadi MLA and Minister of Minorities Welfare, S. M. Nasar.

Criticizing the DMK ministers’ presence at the event, Annamalai stated, “Yesterday, the Tamil Nadu School Education Minister attended a function at a private CBSE school that follows a multilingual curriculum. However, the same minister denies government school students the opportunity to learn multiple languages. We have been deceived by such double standards for so many years.”

He urged people to support educational equality by signing a petition on puthiyakalvi.in, as the BJP continues its statewide mass signature campaign advocating for the New Education Policy (NEP). The campaign aims to bridge the disparity between students in government schools—who are restricted to a two-language system—and those in private matriculation and CBSE schools, which offer multilingual education.

நேற்று, தமிழகத்தின் பள்ளிக் கல்வி அமைச்சர், பல மொழிகளைக் கற்றுக் கொடுப்பதைப் பாடத்திட்டமாகக் கொண்ட ஒரு தனியார் CBSE பள்ளியில் நடந்த விழாவில் கலந்து கொண்டார். ஆனால், அரசுப் பள்ளி மாணவர்களுக்கு பல மொழிகள் கற்கும் வாய்ப்பு கிடையாது என்று கூறுகிறார்.

இத்தனை ஆண்டு காலம் இவர்களின்… pic.twitter.com/4zvn6jeGtW

— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) March 7, 2025

DMK School Education Minister’s Son Studies French Instead Of Tamil As Second Language

Tamil Nadu’s School Education Minister, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, finds himself at the center of controversy after it was revealed that his son, Kavin, has opted for French instead of Tamil as his second language at school. This revelation has sparked debate, especially given the DMK government’s strong stance on protecting Tamil and its opposition to the three-language policy.

Kavin, an 8th-grade student at a private ICSE school in Alwarpet, Chennai, recently received a certificate of appreciation at an event organized by Anna University’s Educational Entrepreneurship Development Centre. The event, which recognized innovation among government and private school students, saw Minister Mahesh proudly presenting certificates—including one to his own son.

While speaking about the recognition, Minister Mahesh expressed pride in his son’s achievements, stating, “Beyond academic studies, I am proud as a father when my son talks about something like inventions.” However, what raised eyebrows was Kavin’s own candid admission about his lack of involvement in the project.

In a viral interview, Kavin openly spoke about his language choice at school. The boy is seen saying he does not study Tamil and that he was learning French which he found to be difficult.

Kavin’s choice of French over Tamil as a second language further fueled public scrutiny. The DMK government has long positioned itself as a guardian of Tamil culture and language, actively opposing the three-language policy while restricting government school students to learning only Tamil and English. However, the fact that the Education Minister’s own son studies in a private school with a multilingual curriculum and does not take Tamil raises concerns over double standards.

This revelation has intensified the ongoing debate over educational disparity in Tamil Nadu, where government school students are denied the same language learning opportunities as those in private institutions. The minister’s personal choices regarding his son’s education appear to contradict the DMK’s public rhetoric on Tamil language preservation, leaving many questioning the party’s true commitment to its policies.

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Government high and secondary schools across Tamil Nadu are yet to receive their allocated funds for retail expenses, including electricity bills, for the 2024-2025 financial year. As a result, school principals have been forced to cover these costs from their own pockets, raising concerns over the delay in fund disbursement.

Under the existing scheme, the Tamil Nadu government provides up to ₹50,000 annually in two installments for various school expenses, including stationery, official travel allowances, and electricity bills. The allocation depends on the number of students in each school, and principals are required to submit expense details to the treasury by the end of March each year.

However, principals have expressed frustration over the delay in receiving funds for both the current and previous financial years. They revealed that while schools received the first installment for 2023-2024, the second installment never arrived. Similarly, the 2024-2025 funds have not yet been released, forcing many to pay electricity bills ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹60,000 using personal funds.

For primary and middle schools, electricity bills are paid directly by the respective district education officers. However, for over 9,000 government high and secondary schools, the current system requires principals to pay first and claim reimbursement from the government.
Amid growing concerns, School Education Minister Mahesh had earlier assured that the government would take over the responsibility of paying electricity bills for these schools. However, this promise remains unfulfilled.

With March already underway and the deadline for submitting expense details fast approaching, principals are urging the government to release the pending funds immediately and implement a direct payment system for electricity bills without further delay.

(With inputs from Dinamalar)

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The DMK government has been proudly claiming that they have achieved everything in their education system, refusing to consider the National Education Policy (NEP), which was introduced to replace the 34-year-old NEP of 1986. What the DMK boasts about are the goals set 34 years ago, designed for a different era. However, the world has changed significantly, and the 21st century demands a new approach.

The latest NEP is designed to bridge the gap and prepare students for the rapidly evolving world. It emphasizes more than inclusivity, equity, and the importance of grounding education in India’s cultural roots, while also equipping students with the skills needed for the future. The policy outlines a roadmap for universal foundational literacy and numeracy, a holistic curriculum, multilingual learning, and the seamless integration of vocational and academic pathways. However, the DMK remains resistant to change, and they continue to push for a clear divide between government and private schools in Tamil Nadu.

This raises the question: What has the DMK actually done for education since winning the election, particularly in the School Education Department led by Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi? The answer seems to be a disaster. Government schools, which are the lifeline for the underprivileged, have been completely neglected—schools that many look to for a chance to escape poverty through education. Since the DMK took power, numerous issues have cropped up, yet no meaningful action has been taken to address them.

Instead, the founder of Udhayanidhi Stalin’s fan club has been more focused on creating drama, posting pictures, and posing for social media, rather than addressing real concerns. There is a lack of infrastructure, a shortage of teachers, and many qualified candidates who have passed the Teacher Eligibility Tests but have not been given jobs. There have also been reports of government school teachers sexually assaulting students, students struggling to read and understand Tamil, and an alarming rise in substance abuse among students, among other issues. Let’s take a look at how the school education department has decayed under DMK minister Anbil Mahesh.

Teacher Shortage & DMK’s Refusal To Recruit

Let’s start with the basics: teachers. Tamil Nadu is facing a critical shortage, with over 1,000 headmaster positions and thousands of teaching roles unfilled in government schools. This lack of teachers has made it increasingly difficult for educators to effectively teach students.

While all government schools fall under the Department of School Education, various wings of the department are responsible for primary and secondary schools. In Tamil Nadu, approximately 25,50,997 students are enrolled in 31,336 primary schools, with around 1,08,537 teachers. In secondary schools, there are 6,218 institutions across the state, with 27,24,256 students and 1,16,863 teachers.

The shortage of teachers and headmasters is creating significant challenges for both educators and students. Despite this, the government has failed to address these vacancies. According to teachers’ unions, more than 1,000 headmaster positions remain vacant in the state’s 37,000 primary, middle, and high schools.

What is even more alarming is the fact that the last recruitment for primary school teachers took place in 2021-2022, filling a mere 14 positions. For secondary schools, 3,043 vacancies were filled in the 2022-2023 academic year. The DMK government, instead of addressing this shortage, has resorted to using temporary staff, allowing the education system to spiral into chaos.

TN Students Struggle In Literacy And Numeracy

The recent ASER 2024 report highlights a disturbing gap in foundational literacy and numeracy across India, with some states showing significant recovery from pandemic disruptions while others, like Tamil Nadu, are lagging behind in key educational indicators. The report compares the progress of various states, and despite Tamil Nadu’s reputation for educational advancements, it has notably fallen short, particularly in government school performance.

Reading Skills

In 2024, when comparing literacy levels between Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh for children in Standard III, Uttar Pradesh has made notable strides, especially for students able to read at the Standard II level. Tamil Nadu’s performance, however, is concerning: 8.6% of children cannot even recognize letters, 18.2% can only read letters but not words, and 36.3% can read words but not Standard I-level text. Only 12% of children can read at a Standard II level. Uttar Pradesh, by comparison, shows better results, with 34.3% of students reading at the Standard II level, a significant improvement over Tamil Nadu, which has traditionally been viewed as an educational leader. More troubling is the situation in higher classes: 45.3% of Class VI students, 56.1% in Class VII, and 64.2% in Class VIII can only read at a Standard II level.

(ASER – Tamil Nadu)

(ASER – Uttar Pradesh)

Tamil Nadu’s struggle to maintain or improve its literacy rates is evident. Despite claims by the government of improvements such as the Illam Thedi Kalvi program, literacy rates have not shown significant progress. In fact, in 2022, the percentage of children in Standard III reading at a Standard II level had drastically fallen to just 4.7%, a sharp decline from 16.8% in 2014. On the other hand, Uttar Pradesh, despite having a lower percentage in 2014 (6%), showed continuous improvement, reaching 27.9% in 2024.

(ASER – Tamil Nadu)

(ASER – Uttar Pradesh)

Numeracy Skills

The situation in numeracy is similarly troubling. In Tamil Nadu, the performance of Standard III students in arithmetic shows significant gaps. 5.9% of children cannot recognize numbers from 1 to 9, and 15.2% can recognize numbers up to 9 but struggle with numbers up to 99. 51.2% of students can recognize numbers up to 99 but cannot perform subtraction, while only 2.2% can perform division. Uttar Pradesh, although still facing challenges, shows better performance in numeracy, with 16.4% of children able to perform division, compared to just 2.2% in Tamil Nadu.

The trend analysis for Standard III students performing subtraction from 2014 to 2024 reveals fluctuating performance in Tamil Nadu, with a sharp decline seen in 2022, likely due to the pandemic. However, by 2024, the percentage of students able to perform subtraction has increased to 27.6%, still behind Uttar Pradesh, which has steadily improved over the years. In contrast, Uttar Pradesh’s progress in numeracy is more consistent. The state showed remarkable improvement, reaching 31.6% in 2024, surpassing Tamil Nadu’s performance.

(ASER – Tamil Nadu)

(ASER – Uttar Pradesh)

The performance in higher classes also highlights a concerning trend for Tamil Nadu. In Standard V, the percentage of children who can perform division has decreased from 25.6% in 2014 to 20.2% in 2024. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh has made significant strides, with the number of children performing division rising from 12.1% in 2014 to 31.8% in 2024.

In Standard VIII, Tamil Nadu’s ability to perform division has also declined, with 37.8% of children being able to perform division in 2024 compared to 39.6% in 2014. Uttar Pradesh, however, has shown a notable improvement, jumping from 30.5% in 2014 to 45.6% in 2024, surpassing both Tamil Nadu’s performance and its own previous figures.

Substance Abuse

A Chennai school in Kalyanapuram, Vyasarpadi, has become a hotspot for underage substance abuse, with students as young as pre-teens consuming beer and tobacco. A report on 23 August 2024, revealed a Class IX girl drinking beer in the classroom on her birthday, with her Class VII brother purchasing it, while three Class X boys were caught smoking Beedis. These incidents highlight a disturbing trend of substance abuse among students at the school.

Other Administrative Failures

Let’s take a look at how the administration has deteriorated over the past few years under the DMK government.

• On 9 November 2024, a government-aided girls’ school in VK Puram, near Ambasamudram, screened Tamil films such as Vijay’s ‘GOAT’ to senior students and Rajinikanth’s ‘Vettaiyan’ to younger students, with charges of ₹25 and ₹10 per student, respectively.
• The government secondary school in Theethipalayam, Coimbatore, faced a severe classroom shortage, leading to a decline in student admissions and forcing existing students to attend classes under trees and in the parking area. Despite ongoing construction, about 100 students in classes 8 and 9 are left without proper facilities.
• On 27 August 2024, three students were injured when a section of the ceiling plaster fell on them during class at a government-run school in Krishnagiri. The accident raised significant concerns about the safety and structural integrity of the building, which had only been opened two months ago with MPLADS fund. In another similar incident July 2024, a ceiling of a newly constructed Panchayat Union Middle School near Kanchipuram collapsed, wher the building, completed three months prior.
• On August 2024, another ceiling of a classroom at a government school in Thiruporur collapsed, injuring five female students and sparking protests from parents who questioned the quality of the construction.
• On 12 June 2024, the administration of St. Paul’s Girls’ Higher Secondary School in Mayiladuthurai forced students to clean their classrooms to “instill” discipline, a practice exposed when a ninth-grade student refused and was slapped by a teacher.
• The Government Higher Secondary School in Mogappair, Chennai, became a site of student distress due to poor conditions, including unhygienic facilities and unsafe infrastructure. Girl students raised alarming concerns that they were subjected to verbal harassment and forced cleaning duties, with teachers complicit in the mistreatment.
• In 2023, a disturbing video went viral showing mentally challenged students at a Tamil Nadu government-aided school, run by the Church of South India (CSI), being forced to clean toilets. The students, attending the CSI School for the Mentally Challenged in Sivakasi, were reportedly made to perform this task as part of their school routine. The incident, involving over 100 students, sparked outrage after the video was shared on social media.

Proselytization Attempts At Govt Schools

So far, we only saw the regular failures. Did you know that government schools even became a targt for proselytization? Take a look at the number of times this happened.

• In October 2024, the headmistress of Government High School in Diwanshah Pudur allowed Friday Namaz to be held on school premises, disrupting the secular environment. The prayers have been conducted regularly such practices may cause religious discord and mental distress as the school serves a diverse student body
• In August 2023, protests erupted in Acchankuttam village, Tenkasi, over concerns that a government-aided Christian school was engaging in proselytization. The Tahsildar filed a complaint, leading to police action against 12 individuals accused of inciting communal unrest by mobilizing Hindu parents to withdraw their children from the school. The case stems from fears of religious conversion within the school.
• In 2022, Beatrice Thangam, a tailoring teacher at a government school in Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, was accused of making objectionable remarks about Hindus and attempting to preach Christianity to her students. A Class 6 student revealed in a video that Thangam referred to Hindus as “sathaan” (devil), forced students to read the Bible, and even made them kneel and recite Christian prayers. The teacher allegedly pressured Hindu students to stitch Christian crosses and dismissed the Bhagavad Gita as “bad.”
• In 2022, a 17 year old girl studying at Sacred Heart Higher Secondary School in Thirukattupalli near Thanjavur, committed suicide by drinking poison after she was allegedly tortured to convert to Christianity by the school for her to continue her studies.

Caste Pride & Violence

For all the credit that the Dravidianists claim for “eradicating caste”, we have seen a huge surge in caste violence in schools. Here are a few such instances:

• A 10th-grade student at a government-aided school in Sripuram, Tirunelveli, was dismissed for carrying weapons, including a sickle and knives, after a student clash. The weapons were discovered during a routine bag check on 18 September 2024. .
• On 30 July 2024, two students at the Government Higher Secondary School in Valliyoor, Tirunelveli, were injured in a caste-related clash triggered by derogatory remarks about a specific caste written on a toilet wall.
• In December 2023, students from Periyar Government Higher Secondary School in Cheranmahadevi attacked students from a nearby polytechnic college over caste issues, leaving one student stabbed.
• On August 2023, three students from a dominant caste assaulted a Scheduled Caste teenager and his sister in Nanguneri. The violence resulted in injuries and hospitalisations, shocking the community. 
• On 1 July 2024, another instance of caste-based pride sparked a clash among 12th-grade students at Rosalind Chelliah Government Higher Secondary School in Maruthakulam village, Nanguneri, Tirunelveli.

Sexual Assault/Harassment At Govt Schools Surged

If caste violence and other administrative failures weren’t enough, the government schools also saw sexual assault cases peak under the DMK.

• On February 2025, Kumaresan (57), a lab assistant at a government school in Salem, was arrested under the POCSO Act for allegedly sexually harassing female students.
• A second-grade student at Podhavur government primary school in Trichy was allegedly sexually assaulted by teacher Jayaraj Susainathan while cleaning the classroom. Following a complaint from the parents, Jayaraj was arrested. It has been revealed that there have been sexual harassment complaints against him for the past decade, with the teacher reportedly threatening the students and their families during this time.
• A 58-year-old assistant headmaster of a government high school in Pudukottai was arrested on 17 February 2025 under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for allegedly sexually harassing multiple girl students.
• Sivakumar, a 40-year-old temporary physical education teacher, allegedly sexually harassed the 11th grade student and violated her by making inappropriate comments about her appearance. Following an investigation Omalur All Women Police Station registered a case under the POCSO Act.
• 3 Govt School Teachers – Arumugam (48), Chinnaswamy (57), and Prakash (37) in Krishnagiri arrested under the POCSO Act for Gang-Raping a 8th grade student resulting in pregnancy and an abortion
• Ilayakannu, a 37-year-old teacher from Neyyamali, Bettanayakkanpalayam, Salem district, had been arrested under POCSO act for sexually harassing 10th and 11th grade students at the Yercaud government higher secondary school.
• On 3 September 2024, Dr. S. Samson Daniel (31), a government doctor, was arrested under the POCSO Act on sexually assaulting minor girls at a hostel affiliated with a government-aided school in Trichy. His mother, S. Grace Sagayarani (54), who is the headmistress of the school, was also taken into custody for helping to cover up the offenses.
• On August 2024, a 13-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by a Naam Tamizhar Katchi (NTK) functionary named Sivaraman during a fake National Cadet Corps (NCC) camp at a private school near Bargur in  Krishnagiri district.
• A math teacher Sundara Vadivelu working at a corporation school at Noyyal Road in Tiruppur was arrested for sexually harassing multiple students, and allegedly targeted seventh-grade students over the past few months. Sources indicate that more than ten children have come forward with complaints so far.
• Suresh, a Tamil teacher at Ariyalur Government School, was arrested under the POCSO Act for sexually harassing a 6th-grade student. He threatened the student’s life to keep it secret, but she informed her parents, who then filed a police complaint.

The state of education in Tamil Nadu under the DMK government, particularly in the School Education Department led by Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, paints a grim picture of systemic neglect and administrative failure. Despite the DMK’s claims of progress and pride in their education system, the reality on the ground reveals a stark contrast.

The above-mentioned problems in government schools further expose the deep-rooted issues plaguing the system. These problems are compounded by the administration’s focus on superficial measures and social media optics rather than addressing the real concerns of students, parents, and educators.

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