Public exams delayed by 30 mins following High Court directive

As per an official communication from the Directorate of Examinations late on Monday, “the examinations scheduled to be held for Class 12 students will commence at 10.30 a.m. and end by 1.30. p.m.”

The release said the candidates and parents who are facing difficulty in reaching the destination can intimate the same to the respective headmasters, who, in consultation with the educational authorities and other public authorities in charge of transportation shall make sure that the students and parents reach the destination in time.

It further said that “apart from the steps being taken for the conduct of the examination, any postponement at this stage would have a spiralling effect, affecting the interest of the students”.

However, the release is silent on the schedule of pending board exams of Class 11 students.

Earlier in the day, the court directed the TN government to schedule Classes 11 and 12 exams at 10.30 am, instead of the present 10 am, to help students reach the exam venue in the wake of the lockdown in most of the parts of the State.

A division bench comprising Justice MM Sundresh and Justice Krishnan Ramasamy offered the direction while hearing a PIL filed by G Rajesh in this regard. Noting that any postponement of examination at this stage would affect the interests of the students, the bench said, “The exams shall commence at 10.30 am and end at 1.30 pm.”

The bench also asked the Health department to ensure that the masks and gloves reach the doctors and staff working in various places across the State within a reasonable time.”