CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin on Saturday night announced cancellation of Class XII state board exams in view of the Covid-19 second wave in the state.
The state government held discussions with parents, teachers, educationists, health experts and political parties in the past three days on conducting the exams.
“Though there were mixed opinion on conducting the board exams, all of them wanted to ensure the safety of the children. Covid-19 second wave is still raging in the state and health experts also predicted a third wave. However, the state government cannot vaccinate Class XII students as they are aged below 18 years,” Stalin said in a statement.
He said the state government was still firm on its policy of conducting Class XII admissions based on Class XII exam marks. “However, doctors say postponing the exam further will affect the students psychologically. Based on the medical advice and other recommendations, the state government is cancelling Class XII state board exams,” he said.
The state government has formed a committee headed by school education secretary Kakarla Usha to decide the modalities to award marks for admissions into higher educational institutions. Based on the committee’s report, the marks would be awarded and admissions would be based on these marks, Stalin said.
He said while the state government has cancelled the board exams in view of pandemic, it may not be feasible to conduct all-India level entrance exams like NEET. “I have written a letter to the PM to cancel all entrance exams. Though the exams are cancelled in view of students’ health, we will ensure that admissions to higher educational institutions are not affected,” Stalin said.
Surjitt Sahani
