State may scrap school quarterly exams this year

Chennai

An 18-member high-level committee, comprising of School Education authorities and academicians, had been recently constituted to come up with a blueprint in connection with the lost academic session due to lockdown and ways to make amends. A senior official from the Directorate of School Education told DT Next that since the reopening of schools will be delayed, the committee is already in the process of omitting certain portions in the textbooks from Classes 1 to 12.

Stating that the syllabus would be reduced to an extent of 30 per cent depending on the standards, he said as the expert committee is considering the extent of portions to be truncated and the likely duration of delay in reopening of schools, the members are expected to recommend to the government cancellation of the quarterly exams for this academic year. Usually, the quarterly exams, which is common for students across the State, are conducted in September every year.

“The members are looking into the aspects of extending the academic year to April next year so that the quarterly exams can be conducted even if the schools are reopened in September this year,” he said adding “some members also suggested that the schools should be instructed to work even on Saturdays to compensate for the loss of working days due to lockdown.”

Pointing out that the committee is also receiving feedback and requests from the parents, academicians and members of the parent-teacher associations in connection with the conduct of exams, he said a detailed report will be prepared, taking into consideration all genuine suggestions. The official said the report will be submitted to the State government for final approval.

“The committee also probed the possibility of conducting classes in shifts so as to maintain social distancing in the classrooms,” he added.