The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Brainstorming on exam reforms planned

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Thursday, Aug 14, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Brainstorming on exam reforms planned

Meera Srinivasan

CHENNAI: The School Education Department will soon organise a brainstorming session to analyse possible examination reforms, School Education Minister Thangam Thennarasu told The Hindu.

“Students, parents, school heads, School Education Department officers and educationists will participate in this session. We will examine all suggestions and then take a decision,” he said, adding, “there is a long-pending suggestion that the practical examinations for students of classes X and XII be held after the theory examinations. We want to see if such options are feasible.” The meeting would be held later this month or in the first week of September, the Minister said.

Asked if a decision had been taken on removing certain portions in class X mathematics and science that were considered difficult, Mr. Thennarasau said a committee headed by M. Naganathan, Vice-Chairman, State Planning Commission, would soon be constituted to look into the matter.

“Once Prof. Naganathan’s expert committee identifies which portions could be deleted, we will have the appropriate changes this academic year itself,” he said. Speaking on other immediate plans of the department, Mr. Thennarasu said it was keen on strengthening the language skills of high school students.

Stress on soft skills

“I have been attending job fairs and I find that companies are increasingly stressing on soft skills. We want to focus on that area. Setting up a model language lab in Thirukkuvalai was a step in that direction,” he said.

While language skills were being imparted to students of classes VI, VII and VIII through interactive CDs, a conscious effort to strengthen language labs in all schools would be taken immediately, he added.

The department would simultaneously look at enhancing computer education. A total of Rs. 26.8 crore would go towards this exercise. With Rs. 20 crore coming from the Centre and the remaining amount from the State, the objective was to fine-tune the curriculum and teacher training pertaining to computer education in schools, Mr. Thennarasu said.

All government high and higher secondary schools had been provided with computers. “As planned, we covered all the schools except those which have been upgraded this year,” he said.

Apart from this, the department was collaborating with Aparajitha Foundation to offer life skills training to students. “Under a pilot project, we will implement this in 5 schools.” Aspects including communication skills and etiquette would be covered.

Through more public-private partnerships, the department proposed to improve infrastructure and toilet facilities in schools. “Several corporates have shown interest as part of their corporate social responsibility,” Mr. Thennarasau said.

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