Practical examinations will be introduced in all science subjects in State Board schools from this academic year for students of Class IX.
This move is in preparation for the ‘Samacheer Kalvi' system which will come in to effect for all classes from the next academic year in Tamil Nadu. Since the Matriculation stream already has practical exams for Class X for which marks are given in the public examination, the State Board schools too are being geared up for this change.
“It is essential to begin with Class IX students this year because the same set of students are going to take the practical exams in public examinations in March, 2012. This is to make the students get an idea about the practical examinations as the State Board students till now had no practical exams,” S. Karmegam, Joint Director (Higher Secondary), told The Hindu here on Saturday.
Common Board
Under the ‘Samacheer Kalvi' system, the Government has amalgamated the four Boards - State Board, Matriculation, Anglo-Indian and Oriental - to create one common Board of School Education. Uniform syllabus and examination system are coming in to effect from 2011-12 academic year.
M. Kutralingam, Principal Secretary to School Education Department, who conducted a review meeting here on Saturday with officials of 13 districts, had enquired about the preparedness of State Board schools in introducing the practical examinations.
“Till now the concept of practical exams in State Board schools was confined only to record note. When the uniform system comes in to effect, marks will be awarded and practical examinations will be a part of the public exam,” said Mr. Karmegam.
Special funds
When contacted, the Director of School Education P. Perumalsamy, said that every Government school is being given Rs.25,000 for purchasing laboratory equipment for doing science practicals. Funds are being allotted from the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan programme.
According to department officials, the new syllabus has incorporated practical examinations in the scheme of things and the State Board schools are being integrated in to that. “So far, it is only a ritual. But, marks will be given from now on,” an official said.
Mr. Karmegam said that the contention of some schools which were opposing the ‘Samacheer Kalvi' was that their syllabus was practical-oriented.
“By making the practical examination compulsory and part of the system, the students of Government schools/State Board schools will no longer be inferior,” he observed.
The first phase of Equitable Standard of School Education comes into effect from 2010-11 academic year for Classes I and VI.
