CHENNAI: In view of the surge in Covid-19 cases in the state, the Tamil Nadu government on Sunday declared a holiday for all students including those in Classes X, XI and XII till January 31.
Though physical classes had stopped for Classes I to IX from the first week of January, offline classes continued for Classes IX to XII. "Now, considering the surge in Covid-19 cases and in the interest of students, all classes including Class X, XI and XII have been given a holiday till January 31. Revision tests for Classes X and XII scheduled to begin on January 19 are also postponed. The revised dates will be announced later," a government release said.
Clarity sought on reopening, exams
With no reference marks available for the current batch of Class X and XII students, the school education department had planned a revision test from January 19 to 28 and another in March as backup for board exams.
Schools have completed about 90% of syllabus for Class X and XII students. "Schools may need another month to complete the remaining syllabus and to start revising topics. The school education department should prepare a new schedule for revision tests, physical classes and board exams so teachers and students will have clarity on preparing for board exams when schools reopen again," said G J Manohar, principal of MCC Higher Secondary School in Chetpet.
Vaccinating Class X to XII students may help while conducting board exams. "Over 90% of eligible students in our school have been vaccinated. So, school reopening will not be an issue when Covid-19 cases subside," said Padmaja R, headmistress of Chennai Girls Higher Secondary School in Saidapet.
While state board schools may struggle to cover students through online classes as nearly 30% students still lack access to smartphones, CBSE schools plan to continue online classes. "Most CBSE schools have been holding online classes for all classes, including Class X and XII. We will continue online classes to prepare students for term 2 exams in April," said PG Subramanian, principal of Bhavan's Rajaji Vidhyashram in Kilpauk.
