Tamil Nadu teachers oppose three language plan, changes to exams

CHENNAI: Many teachers who sent in their feedback on the draft new education policy have opposed the proposed three-language formula and changing the class 10 and 12 board exams to semester exams.
The policy proposes that students be given two chances to take board examinations during any given school year from classes 9 to 12.
To encourage wider participation in formulating the new education policy, the school education department had translated the draft education policy in Tamil and the translated version was released on the website of Tamil Nadu State Council for Educational Research and Training’s (TNSCERT).
More than 1000 teachers from across the state have given their feedback on the draft new education policy. Regional consultation meetings were also held in Chennai, Tiruchi, Coimbatore and Madurai.
“We have received suggestions and feedbacks both online and offline mode. Many teachers have given their objections to three-language formula and changing class 10 and 12 board exams,” sources said.
One of the teachers who had given his feedback said conducting semester exams in place of class 10 and 12 board exams was not feasible.
“The policy says we have to teach more subjects and conduct exams. It means we have to print more books and deploy additional teachers. The internal choices and each semester exam will lead to chaos,” the teacher said.
The policy further wants to implement the three-language formula from the foundation stage, which is three to eight years. States like Tamil Nadu are following two-language formula, excluding Hindi.
Some teachers also have given generic suggestions. The officials have compiled a report on the suggestions given by the teachers and handed it to the government.
The Tamil Nadu Higher Secondary Headmasters’ Association had passed a resolution opposing the proposed changes in the board exams. “Our association felt changing the existing pattern and introducing the public exams for classes 5 and 8 will put more stress to the students. Further, it would increase the number of school dropouts,” said M.Ponmudi, president of the association.
Some activists also opposed changing the class X and XII board exam pattern.
PB Prince Gajendrababu, general secretary, State Platform for Common School System, has urged the Union HRD ministry to not change the present class X and XII patttern.
Citing violations in provisions of the Constitution, he even demanded the withdrawal of the draft education policy.
Following opposition from political parties in Tamil Nadu, the Union HRD ministry has revised the draft policy which made Hindi mandatory in non-Hindi speaking states.
However, it has not revised the proposed three-language formula.