Chennai: Chief Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday said Tamil Nadu's remarkable progress in the education sector has drawn the attention of other states, which are now studying the model with an aim to implement it.

Speaking at a festival of Tamil Nadu's achievements in education here, Stalin, in the presence of Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, said the event was not meant for self-praise but to inspire students to focus on studies.

The CM said successive governments, starting from the Justice Party's mid-day meal scheme to K Kamaraj's statewide expansion and the present breakfast scheme, had ensured access to education. “Since the breakfast programme was introduced, enrolment has increased. After the launch of the Pudhumai Penn scheme, 75 per cent of Plus-2 pass-outs have joined higher education, with a significant rise in women's participation,” he added.

Stalin said his goal was “education for all, and quality education for all,” stressing that no one should be denied entry into educational institutions. He asserted that the Centre was attempting to create obstacles to Tamil Nadu's growth in education as it “cannot tolerate this rise.”

Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, who also addressed the gathering, highlighted the government's schemes including the breakfast programme, Pudhumai Penn, Naan Mudhalvan and Tamil Mannar Magalir initiatives. He said equal importance was being given to sports and physical education, urging teachers not to compromise on lessons.

“As long as there is fear that these schemes cannot be undone, it means Stalin is the one ruling Tamil Nadu,” Udhayanidhi remarked.