Boards for Classes 5, 8 likely to be held for next 3 yrs: Edu Commissioner

He also clarified that all students who appear for the exam will be given pass marks for the three-year period.

The Commissioner’s order assumes significance as Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) had recently withdrawn its State-wide protest against board exams for Class 5 and 8 after Sengottaiyan assured the party that the board exams will not be held from next academic year. In addition, the Education Minister also announced that the State government would approach the Centre seeking exemption from Class 5 and Class 8 board exams. Following widespread concerns, the PMK had earlier demanded withdrawal of the board exams and threatened to launch a State-wide stir in connection with the same.

The new circular has now added to the confusion among the academic community. In A circular, the Commissioner, quoting a government order dated September 9, 2019 of Directorate of Examinations, said that school managements have been instructed to award pass marks to all the students and therefore, parents and students should not be afraid. The order further said that the school managements were instructed to prepare the mark list of the students. With the circular indicating board exams for Class 5 and Class 8 will be held for the next three years, once again academicians and parents are bewildered with the government’s new directive.

Opposing the government's move, State Platform for Common School System – Tamil Nadu (SPCSS-TN), General Secretary P B Prince Gajendra Babu said "smooth and happy school life without the stress of examination and detention at least up to completion of elementary education must be ensured".

Amid opposition from the academicians and political parties, the State government has gone ahead to conduct board exams for Class 5 and Class 8 in line with the Ministry of Human Resources Development's (MHRD) neweducation policy.