Mon Mar 17 18:57:45 UTC 2025: ## Tamil Teacher Shortage in Tamil Nadu Kendriya Vidyalayas Highlights Language Policy Debate
**Chennai, March 18, 2025** – A parliamentary response has revealed a disparity in language instruction within Tamil Nadu’s Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs), sparking debate about language policy in the state. While 69 Hindi and 50 Sanskrit teachers are employed across 34 KVs, only 34 teachers are dedicated to Tamil, all on a contractual basis.
The Union Ministry of Education’s response to MP Dayanidhi Maran’s query clarified that the sanctioned language teacher posts in KVs are for Hindi, English, and Sanskrit. Tamil instruction is provided through the Tamil Virtual Academy (TVA) in 21 of the state’s 45 KVs, with contractual teachers employed in the remaining 24. The ministry emphasized that KVs, designated for central government employees’ children, receive no separate funding for specific languages. Furthermore, Tamil Nadu has yet to join the PM SHRI scheme.
The revelation highlights a potential imbalance in language education within the KVs, prompting questions about the prioritization of languages and the resources allocated to teaching Tamil, the state’s primary language. The reliance on contractual teachers and the utilization of online learning platforms underscore the complexities of balancing national curriculum standards with regional linguistic needs.
First Piper 