School Education Minister KA Sengottaiyan on Wednesday announced that half-yearly exams for government and government-aided schools in Tamil Nadu have been cancelled in view of the pandemic.As far as private schools are concerned, the Minister said that they can conduct exams online, if needed. Also, the syllabus has been reduced for students with the consent of Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami.

“Only 65 per cent of syllabus will be taught for students studying in Class 10 to 12 this academic year, while the syllabus has been reduced by 50 per cent for students studying in Classes up to 9,” he told reporters after distributing cash rewards to the tune of Rs 35.50 lakh to 23 students, who bagged medals at the 64th national school games. On the reopening of schools in January next year, the Minister said that a decision would be taken by the Chief Minister after holding discussions with educationists, parents and students. 

To a query on the absence of proper toilet facilities in govt schools, the Minister claimed that all schools have toilets, but only needed more in accordance with the strength of students.The Minister also pointed out that the state had increased the reservation for sports persons in government jobs to three per cent and also developed facilities in local bodies at a cost of Rs 67 crore to nurture sports even from childhood.