Actor and Rajya Sabha MP Kamal Haasan has made a forceful pitch for restoring education to the State list, arguing that true cooperative federalism must begin with the freedom of States to shape their own education policies.

“This is about the present and the future, not about blaming the past,” Haasan said, addressing a discussion on the State Education Policy (SEP) for school education, organised by the DMK’s student wing. “States understand their ethos, culture and ground realities best. Autonomy infuses relevance and inclusivity.”

The actor-politician also opposed the imposition of the Centre’s three-language formula under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, reiterating Tamil Nadu’s two-language policy. “Language is only a medium, not the purpose of education,” he stressed. “Technology now enables real-time translation, making language imposition unnecessary.”

Haasan welcomed the SEP’s focus on financial literacy, Constitutional values and environmental studies, calling it essential to prepare students without confusion or burden. “Let us not trouble our children,” he said.

State school education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, who also addressed the gathering, said the SEP has deliberately charted a different course from NEP, rooted in Tamil Nadu’s history, culture and unique needs.

“SEP has attracted both praise and criticism, and we welcome constructive feedback,” he said. “This is a living policy that will be updated every three years to remain inclusive and future-centric.”

Defending Tamil Nadu’s decision against common exams for Classes III, V and VIII, Poyyamozhi warned such assessments could drive up dropout rates. “Education must be a fundamental right for all children. That is why we have a no-detention policy till Class VIII,” he added.