Tamil Nadu government cancels proposed public exams for Classes V and VIII

Bowing to pressure from academicians, psychologists, parents and commoners, the Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday (February 4) cancelled the proposed public exams for Classes V and VIII.

A statement issued by the school education minister KA Sengottaiyan, after the cabinet meet, said that the existing examination model will stay in place.

Also read | Pressure mounts on students as TN public exams approach for class V, VIII

On September 13, 2019, the state government had declared that classes V and VIII will be subjected to public exams from the on-going academic year. The announcement was met with protests from parents, teachers and academicians. Many village panchayats too passed resolutions against the government’s move in the recently concluded gram sabha meetings.

Brushing aside all objections, Sengottaiyan had maintained that the proposed system will improve the learning abilities of students. An assurance too was given that none of the students would be detained.

Also read | Village panchayats across TN pass resolution against class 5 and 8 board exams

But academicians in the state cautioned that the move will increase the drop-out rates. Psychologists too warned that the move will subject to unbearable stress on the students. Incidentally, a class VIII student committed suicide in Chennai on January 30, unable to handle the pressure.

The proposal was reportedly mooted after the minister’s visit to Finland.

Also read | Teachers say class V, VIII public exams may spike dropout rate