Derek O’Brien Asks Schools Not To Adopt New Education Policy
Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien on Monday called on ICSE-ISC school principals to unite against the New Education Policy (NEP).
He described the policy as “anti-federal” and claimed it was drafted without consulting states or key stakeholders.
ALSO READ: NCERT to Conduct Foundational Learning Study for Class 3 Students in Delhi
Speaking to school heads in Kolkata, O’Brien said the NEP weakened India’s federal structure.
He argued that no state governments were consulted during the policy’s formulation, despite education being a shared subject under the Constitution.
States Have Their Own Education Policies
O’Brien pointed out that several states have framed their own education policies.
He said West Bengal implemented its state education policy in 2023 under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Tamil Nadu released its education policy, while Karnataka brought out a draft policy in 2025.
ALSO READ: Kerala Updates KTET Norms in Line With Supreme Court Directions
He said schools now face confusion because NEP-linked projects often clash with state-level education frameworks. This lack of coordination, he added, has made implementation difficult for many institutions.
Address at ICSE-ISC School Conference
The TMC leader was speaking as the chief guest at the 103rd Annual Conference of the Association of Heads of Anglo-Indian Schools in India. The event was held at La Martiniere for Girls School in Kolkata.
The conference was attended by representatives from more than 3,000 ICSE-ISC schools from across the country.
Minority Institutions and Constitutional Rights
O’Brien raised concerns about the impact of NEP on minority-run institutions.
He referred to Article 30 of the Constitution, which gives minorities the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
He claimed this right was being diluted by the centralising approach of the NEP.
He also flagged issues with proposed legislation such as the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, saying it could further reduce institutional autonomy.
Education Spending Remains Low
The TMC MP criticised the government over education funding.
He said public spending on education has never reached 6 per cent of GDP, as recommended in the NEP. Instead, he noted, it has remained stuck at around 3 to 4 per cent for years.
He argued that without adequate funding, large-scale reforms would only burden schools rather than improve learning outcomes.
Role of Christian Institutions
O’Brien highlighted the contribution of Christian-run institutions in India. He said nearly six crore students study every year in about 54,000 such institutions.
He added that at least three out of four students in these schools come from non-Christian communities.
He also spoke about healthcare services run by the community.
According to him, these institutions serve around 2 per cent of India’s population, with nearly 80 per cent of their work focused on remote and underserved areas.
He urged the Christian community to remain visible in public life for positive and constructive reasons.
ALSO READ: PM Modi Joins Christmas Prayers in Delhi, Shares Message of Peace and Compassion
