CHENNAI: In its 2026 election manifesto, the DMK has announced a series of major reforms for school education, including a state-wide push toward smart classrooms, expansion of STEM learning, stronger support for children with learning disabilities, and especially the introduction of civic education as a compulsory subject.
Stakeholders welcomed the announcement, calling it a need of the hour and essential during the prevalence of social media.
“This will teach students about the Constitution, democratic values, rights and duties of citizens, social justice, economic awareness, public responsibility and human equality. The goal is to raise a generation with social responsibility and democratic values,” the manifesto read.
“Be it any party that forms that government, it is mandatory to educate children on social responsibility, sexual education and usage of social media, for both genders,”said a city-based educationalist. “These topics need to be discussed in schools, which will help children navigate challenges related to these topics better.”
Likewise, a child rights activist pointed out the rampant usage of smartphones among children and called for such subjects to take prominence in the school syllabus.
According to the manifesto, all government schools will be upgraded into smart classrooms by 2030. The party has also promised to convert improved school textbooks into digital learning materials so that students can access modern educational resources more easily.
The manifesto says that, over the next five years, model schools will be established in every district.
Additionally, new STEM streams will be introduced in higher secondary schools by 2030, signalling a focus on science and technology-based education. More number of teachers to be employed in schools. And, the quality of education to be improved by promoting advanced learning, supporting students’ mental well-being, and creating a more knowledge-driven academic environment.