CHENNAI: Steadfast in its opposition to the three-language formula, Tamil Nadu has shown the red flag to the Centrally-sponsored Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalalya (JNV) schools. The state government has said ‘no thanks’ to the Centre’s offer to set up the JNVs in the State.

Recently, Union Human Resources Development Minister Prakash Javadekar had announced 62 new JNVs across the country. But none figured in Tamil Nadu, as the State has declined to accept the proposal.

Confirming this, a senior official from the Department of School Education said this was a policy decision of the government for long. Sources said Tamil Nadu had been opposing this for long as Hindi was mandatory for children studying in these schools from Class VI to VIII.

Tamil Nadu has a two-language formula (Tamil and English) and has vigorously opposed imposition of a third language, particularly Hindi, since 1930s. Experts opined that this should not have come in the way of the State accepting the scheme.

Sources clarified that Hindi was mandatory only for middle school children and it was optional for others (Class IX-XII). They could learn their regional language along with English.

In Puducherry, almost 90 per cent JNV students learn only Tamil and English. Tamil Nadu could follow in their footsteps and open its gates to JNVs for the benefit of students from the rural areas, said C Muthiah, Principal of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Madurai.

He pointed out that NVs allow students to learn their regional language (Tamil in this case) and it could be their medium of instruction till Class VIII.Countering this, educationist Prince Gajendra Babu said JNV is against the principle of equitable access to quality education for all. Rather than spending crores on one school, the government should pump in resources for overall development in these areas, he added.

The demand for CBSE schools has shot up recently in Tamil Nadu after the Supreme Court made the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test mandatory for medical admission. The CBSE schools have increased their fees remarkably this year.