Let's Celebrate Parents - 7th zonal conference 

The Tamil Nadu Parents-Teachers Association’s “Let’s Celebrate Parents” Seventh Zonal Conference was held in Tiruppayur, Cuddalore district, on 22.2.2025 in a grand manner. Nearly 1.32 lakh people participated in this conference. Hon’ble Minister for Tamil Nadu School Education and State President of the Parents-Teachers Association, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, delivered the welcome address and inaugurated the conference.  

“My first thanks go to the feet that walked to this conference! Not just a few hundred feet, but in fact lakhs of feet — to be precise, two and a half lakh feet have entered this conference hall. With hearts full of love, and with the pride of saying ‘this is our own family celebration,’ this Parents-Teachers Association conference is truly a grand festival of teachers and parents united.” The moment he began his speech, waves of enthusiasm filled the venue!  

Previous Conferences 

Bringing together students, parents, and teachers in one place is a great challenge. Yet, six zonal conferences have already been successfully conducted in Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Dharmapuri, Coimbatore, Kanchipuram, and Tirunelveli. The Seventh Zonal Conference was held at Tiruppayur in Virudhachalam, where about 1.32 lakh parents, students, and teachers from government and government-aided schools across seven districts — Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, and Tiruvannamalai — took part. 

Chief Minister Who Brought 'Kalvi Seer' for Government Schools 

From the very entrance of the conference ground, for nearly 200 feet, the Chief Minister walked through a shower of affection and endless selfies from parents. He arrived as one who carried honor and dignity for schools and students, along with teachers and parents.

Tamil Nadu Excelling in Education” Song

A beautifully crafted song was screened on stage, conveying the message that government schools are not a symbol of poverty but a symbol of value and pride. The Chief Minister, ministers, parents, and teachers all watched this song with joy. Following this, students from Classes 1 to 12, representing all communities beyond caste and religious differences and showcasing Tamil unity, came up on stage with the Chief Minister. The stage had 12 steps, each representing a grade in school education. A delightful highlight of the event was two little children, who playfully spoke to the Chief Minister, making him respond like a child himself.

School Education Minister’s Appeal 

Beginning his speech with a Thirukkural, Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi touched an emotional chord. Holding in his heart the memory of countless parents, teachers, and students who are no longer with us in one way or another, he placed a heartfelt appeal before the people of Tamil Nadu. 

He announced that from March 1, the Department of School Education will begin student admissions for the next academic year, and earnestly requested that all eligible children of school-going age must be enrolled in schools. 

He announced that from March 1, the Department of School Education will begin student admissions for the next academic year, and earnestly requested that all eligible children of school-going age must be enrolled in schools. He further added: “To the people, he is the Hon’ble Chief Minister; to his comrades, he is the Leader; to his political opponents, he may be ‘The Most Dangerous Person’; but to all of you here, he has come as one among your family — especially in the role of a father, bringing numerous schemes for the future of our children. It fills me with pride, as the State President of the Parents-Teachers Association, to welcome our beloved Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, whom all our children lovingly call Appa, Appa (Father).” The Minister also extended his thanks to the other ministers, Members of the Legislative Assembly and Parliament, education department officials, teachers, and parents who had participated in the conference. 

Not for Advertisement 

Presenting the plans and achievements of the School Education Department is not for self-promotion. People often ask, “What is the Chief Minister doing for schools? Where is the School Education Minister?” It is our duty to answer these questions, and we are doing so. At the same time, we have been creating many milestone schemes and nurturing many accomplished students. Shouldn’t we show you how this is happening? That is why we wanted to present this. Through several initiatives, we are proving again and again that government schools are not a symbol of poverty, but a symbol of pride,” said Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi.

Through our Hon’ble Chief Minister, I also wish to proclaim: “Our Education, Our Right.”

Orumaikkan App 

This is an e-book containing the findings and reports of the School Education Minister’s inspections across 77 parameters in government schools spread over all 234 constituencies in Tamil Nadu. It provides a quick and comprehensive way to access the status of Tamil Nadu’s government schools.

APPA – Ananithu Palli Parents Teachers Association App

Developed by the Tamil Nadu Parents-Teachers Association, this innovative app is designed to reduce the communication gap between parents, teachers, and administrators, thereby improving the overall educational experience. It will serve as a platform delivering daily updates, government announcements, and essential instructions to PTA administrators, parents, and teachers. Minister Anbil Mahesh expressed pride in unveiling this app.

APPA App link to download

“This is Tamil Nadu!” – Chief Minister’s Emotional Speech 

Releasing these two apps, Hon’ble Chief Minister M.K. Stalin began his address by singing the line “Nalla nalla pillaiyai nambi…” (“Trusting in good children…”). Explaining his late arrival, he added humorously: “Since there are teachers here, please don’t think I’m making excuses like schoolchildren…”

He continued: “I bow and salute the parents and teachers who are shaping and nurturing the stars of our future — our students. This gathering of so many parents and teachers together is something Tamil Nadu has never seen before. It is a sight that will amaze the entire nation. This is Tamil Nadu!”

Tamil Nadu School Education Department's Golden Period

For the Dravidian Model government, its duty does not end with merely building schools, enrolling students, making them study, helping them secure marks, and sending them out into the world. Every single student is an asset of Tamil Nadu. With this conviction, we function. It is on this very foundation that School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi works. The period of his leadership is rightfully being celebrated as the golden era of Tamil Nadu’s School Education Department. 

The Illam Thedi Kalvi (Education at Doorstep) scheme has been successfully implemented. Pass percentages in Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations have significantly increased. Along with this, 80,000 teachers have been provided with laptops, 22,931 smart classrooms have been set up, and 8,209 hi-tech laboratories have been established. Art festivals have been conducted, and the winning students were taken on foreign trips; even teachers were given opportunities for overseas education tours. Furthermore, schools across all 234 constituencies have been comprehensively inspected.

Parents-Teachers Association conferences were successfully conducted in six zones — Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Dharmapuri, Coimbatore, Kanchipuram, and Tirunelveli — with nearly 1,95,000 members participating. The seventh zonal conference is now being held at Virudhachalam, with around 1,00,000 members from PTAs of various schools across the districts of Cuddalore, Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Kallakurichi, and Mayiladuthurai. On behalf of the Government of Tamil Nadu, I extend heartfelt thanks to all who have set aside their duties and participated here today.

Can Education Be Denied?

The National Education Policy (NEP) not only denies Tamil Nadu its rightful funding, but it also stands against social justice and poses a threat to the Tamil language, the Tamil people, and especially the future of girl children. We are not against any language, but we firmly oppose language imposition, because Hindi imposition will push students away from schools. This policy weakens social justice and denies scholarships to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. It further introduces: Public examinations at Classes 3, 5, and 8 A semester system from Classes 9 to 12 All-India level examinations Expansion of NEET-style entrance tests to all colleges In addition, the clause that allows students to discontinue after Class 10 without pursuing graduation is nothing but an indirect denial of education.

Under the National Education Policy, from Class 6 onwards, vocational education is being introduced under the name “Kulak Kalvi Thittam” (Hereditary Occupation Scheme). This is nothing but an attempt to bring back the injustice of caste-based occupations (Manuneethi’s caste profession system). That is precisely why, even if funds of ₹2,000 crore are offered, we firmly reject this policy — because it would push Tamil society back by 2,000 years. We are not against any language. Hindi too is not our enemy. Whoever wishes to learn it can do so through Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha, Kendriya Vidyalayas, or other avenues. Tamil Nadu has never stopped anyone from learning Hindi, nor will it ever stop them. But if there is an attempt to impose Hindi, Tamil Nadu will show the nation that there exists a people called the Tamils. The two-language policy of Tamil Nadu has already proved the talent of our students across the world.

Why Tamil Nadu’s Language Policy Matters to India

The Union Education Minister asks: “When all states have accepted the three-language policy and the National Education Policy, why is Tamil Nadu alone refusing?” 

Do you know why? 

Because this is Tamil Nadu. We are people who respect our Tamil language even more than our lives. The Dravidian movement has been fighting this battle for 85 years. In the last 75 years, 52 languages have gone extinct in India — of which 25 disappeared due to Hindi dominance alone. It is precisely because of Tamil Nadu’s language policy that many other regional languages across India are still surviving today.

The Union Government has allocated ₹1,488 crore for Sanskrit, while for Tamil — spoken by over 80 million people — it has allotted only ₹74 crore. Regardless of whether central funding is given or not, Tamil Nadu will continue to implement integrated school education programmes.

Through the “Naan Mudhalvan” (I am the First) scheme, we must strengthen students’ mental resilience, physical health, and intellectual growth. Parents must realize that they are the first teachers, and teachers must understand that they are the second parents. The Dravidian Model government will continue its mission steadfastly.

The conference concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Muthukumar, Vice President of the Parents-Teachers Association.