Tamil Nadu cancels Class X exam, nine lakh students get 'all pass'

CHENNAI: A day after drawing flak from opposition parties and the Madras high court over its move to conduct Class X board exams amid the pandemic, the state government on Tuesday cancelled the exam and promoted all students. More than nine lakh students were to write the exam at 12,690 centres across the state from June 15.
Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami also announced cancellation of pending Class XI exams in chemistry, accountancy and geography. Class XII exam for absentees, too, has been postponed and a date will be announced later.
The court on Monday criticised the state government for putting the lives of students at risk by holding the exam and gave it two days to decide on the issue. Following this, the government conducted a review meeting on Tuesday.
"Health experts and epidemiologists said Covid-19 infection will not come down in the near future. Considering the rising cases and demands from parents, Class X exams scheduled to start on June 15 and the remaining Class XI exams were cancelled to protect students from infection," the CM said in a statement.
The final marks for Class X students will be based on their performance in quarterly and half-yearly exams and their attendance. "Students' half-yearly and quarterly exam marks will get 80% weightage and 20% weightage will be given for attendance," he said.
TN followed Telangana example
On Monday, Telangana announced all-pass for Class X students prompting similar demand in the state.
The directorate of government examinations in a circular to chief educational officers (CEOs) on Tuesday said a separate announcement would be made for private candidates. The directorate also asked the CEOs not to open the strongrooms where question papers for Class X and XI were kept. They have also been asked to deploy round-the-clock security at these rooms.