‘All pass’ announcement takes academics, students by surprise

The sudden announcement by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami that students of Classes 9, 10 and 11 [State board] have been declared “promoted” with none examinations this educational 12 months has taken academics and students by surprise.

Only every week in the past, School Education Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan stated the Class 10 board examination dates can be introduced quickly. In all State board faculties, nominal rolls of students writing the Class 10, 11 and 12 public exams had been ready.

Unnecessary choice

“Schools reopened [for physical classes] only a month ago and this sudden announcement is sure to impact the learning and seriousness of the students towards academics. We feel this decision was unnecessary. We are going to meet Education Department officials to allow us to conduct at least school-level model exams,” stated K.R. Nandhakumar, normal secretary of the Tamil Nadu Matriculation, Higher Secondary and CBSE Schools Association.

While pointers on how marks will probably be awarded are anticipated from the School Education Department, there are considerations in authorities faculties on how it will apply to them. Private faculties have been continuing with the educational 12 months via on-line lessons.

“A majority of government schools, especially those in rural areas have not been able to conduct online classes, let alone any form of evaluation. For students who are opting to shift to polytechnic or ITI courses after Class 10, a marks certificate is extremely important,” stated Patric Raymond, secretary, Tamil Nadu Post Graduate Teachers’ Federation.

Mr. Patric emphasised the necessity to a minimum of conduct school-level exams.

“Cancelling exams for Classes 9 and 11 would have been okay. But Class 10 students having no boards will raise concerns. Students shifting to another State might face challenges with admissions. The option of conducting exams with limited portions for students of Class 10 could have been explored,” felt N. Vijayan, correspondent, Zion Matriculation School.

Most faculties, nevertheless, need lessons to proceed on campus for Classes 9, 10 and 11. “It is only now that students have returned and are able to concentrate to some extent. If classes stop for them, it will be a challenging transition to the next academic year,” a instructor stated.