The exams for typewriting and shorthand, which were steadily making a comeback, thanks to push from BPOs and private firms, are unlikely to be conducted by the Department of Technical Education (DOTE) this August, affecting more than two lakh students. This is mainly owing to the closure of over 3,500 commerce institutes in the State due to the lockdown.
Chennai: A senior official from DOTE, the State-run nodal agency, which monitors all the commercial institutes imparting training in typewriting, shorthand, accountancy and computer subjects, told DT Next that about 1.5 lakh candidates were set to take junior/senior grade typewriting exams and around 50,000 had registered for shorthand exams in the State. “Though the time-table was issued, August exams are unlikely to be held as the institutes were lying closed since March,” the official said.
Chennai District Commerce Institutes Association senior member and ex-president N Mohan said usually students from Class 10 to Class 12 join for typewriting, shorthand classes by end-March and appear for junior-level exams in August. “However, this year, about two lakh students will have to wait till September to get training to appear for February 2021 exams,” he said.
Mohan said the livelihood of the owners of these institutes was also severely hit. “We have urged the Chief Minister to give permission to open the institutes,” he added.
SR Sivasubramaniam, president of Stenographer’s Guild, said till 2006, only a few thousands got enrolled in the institutes. “After most of the BPOs and other call centres made a pass in junior typing level mandatory, more people have started showing interest,” he said.
“Also, several private companies have made it mandatory for personal assistants to learn shorthand,” he said.
Claiming that from 2008 to 2013, the number of students appearing for typewriting exams has increased by over 20%, he said: “It rose to 50% since 2014 and in 2019, about 2 lakh students have enrolled”.
Stating that there are thousands of vacancies in the State services, especially in the Personnel Administration Department, he said students may get extra marks in Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) Group IV exams if they pass junior level typing exams.
Chennai District Commerce Institutes Association senior member and ex-president N Mohan said usually students from Class 10 to Class 12 join for typewriting, shorthand classes by end-March and appear for junior-level exams in August. “However, this year, about two lakh students will have to wait till September to get training to appear for February 2021 exams,” he said.
Mohan said the livelihood of the owners of these institutes was also severely hit. “We have urged the Chief Minister to give permission to open the institutes,” he added.
SR Sivasubramaniam, president of Stenographer’s Guild, said till 2006, only a few thousands got enrolled in the institutes. “After most of the BPOs and other call centres made a pass in junior typing level mandatory, more people have started showing interest,” he said.
“Also, several private companies have made it mandatory for personal assistants to learn shorthand,” he said.
Claiming that from 2008 to 2013, the number of students appearing for typewriting exams has increased by over 20%, he said: “It rose to 50% since 2014 and in 2019, about 2 lakh students have enrolled”.
Stating that there are thousands of vacancies in the State services, especially in the Personnel Administration Department, he said students may get extra marks in Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) Group IV exams if they pass junior level typing exams.