Kolkata, India – Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Derek O’Brien recently urged ICSE-ISC school principals to actively oppose the New Education Policy (NEP). Speaking at a major conference in Kolkata, O’Brien labeled the national policy as “anti-federal” and criticized its formulation for lacking crucial state consultation.
Accusations of Federal Undermining
O’Brien explicitly stated that the NEP undermines India’s foundational federal structure. He highlighted that the central government developed the policy without consulting any states. This exclusion, he argued, ignored the diverse educational needs and existing policies across various regions. He pointed to several states, including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, which have either implemented or drafted their own distinct state education policies, demonstrating their commitment to regional educational governance.
West Bengal, for instance, implemented its state education policy in 2023 under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Tamil Nadu’s policy was released in 2025 , and Karnataka’s draft policy also emerged in 2025 . O’Brien further claimed that the central government’s lack of engagement with states and other key educational stakeholders has created significant practical difficulties for schools attempting to implement NEP-linked projects on the ground.
Concerns for Minority Institutions’ Autonomy
The TMC leader raised specific alarms regarding the administration and independence of minority-run educational institutions. He referenced Article 30 of the Indian Constitution, which unequivocally grants minorities the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. O’Brien alleged that the NEP’s inherent “centralising tendency” is directly and adversely affecting these fundamental constitutional rights, potentially limiting the autonomy and distinct character of these institutions.
Critiques on Legislation and Funding
Beyond the NEP’s framework, O’Brien also flagged concerns over new central legislation impacting education. He specifically mentioned the recently introduced Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill . O’Brien argued that measures like this bill further erode the crucial institutional autonomy of educational bodies across the nation, shifting power away from local control. He also sharply criticized the central government’s financial commitment to education.
O’Brien pointed out that government spending on education has “never touched 6 per cent of GDP ,” a benchmark figure recommended within the NEP itself as essential for a robust education system. Instead, he stated that actual education spending has consistently remained stagnant, hovering at approximately 3-4 per cent of GDP. This discrepancy, he implied, shows a lack of serious commitment to the policy’s own stated goals.
Contributions of the Christian Community
During his address, O’Brien encouraged members of the Christian community to maintain their visibility in public life, particularly for their positive and substantial contributions. He underscored their extensive role in India’s education and healthcare sectors. According to O’Brien, approximately 6 crore students enroll annually in nearly 54,000 Christian-run educational institutions nationwide. He emphasized the inclusive nature of these institutions, noting that at least three out of four students attending them belong to non-Christian communities.
In the healthcare sector, institutions managed by the Christian community serve about 2 per cent of India’s population . O’Brien further highlighted that nearly 80 per cent of this crucial healthcare work is carried out in remote and medically underserved regions of the country. This, he stated, demonstrates a significant and selfless commitment to broader societal welfare, particularly in areas often overlooked.
Conference Context and Attendance
Derek O’Brien delivered these pointed remarks as the chief guest at the 103rd Annual Conference of the Association of Heads of Anglo-Indian Schools in India . The significant event took place at La Martiniere for Girls School in Kolkata. The conference drew representatives from over 3,000 ICSE-ISC schools , underscoring the broad reach of O’Brien’s message and the potential impact of his call to action on a large segment of India’s independent school sector.