Tamil Nadu govt asks 3.5 lakh teachers to WFH starting May 1

CHENNAI: The state school education department on Wednesday asked its 3.5 lakh teachers to start working from home from May 1 as a result of the continuing surge in Covid-19 cases in the second wave. The teachers had to go to schools as board practical exams for Class XII students were on till April 24.
Now, with the practical exams wrapped up and the Class XII board exams, originally scheduled to begin on May 5, postponed, the teachers need not visit schools.
In a circular sent to all chief educational officers, school education director S Kannappan said teachers should continue to guide Class XII students for their board exams online. “Teachers should ensure that other students watch bridge courses being telecast on Kalvi TV and that they practise the worksheets. They should use WhatsApp and other digital platforms to interact with the students and parents," he said.
The circular added that teachers may have to come to schools at the end of May to prepare bridge courses and the next academic year. A separate announcement on it will be made later.
A majority of 3.5 lakh teachers working in government and aided schools in the state had last week expressed concerns over visiting schools as they use public transport. While imposing the night curfew, the state asked faculty in colleges and universities to switch to online classes but left out school teachers.