Chennai: In view of prevailing heat conditions in the state, directorate of elementary education has advanced the third term (annual exam) schedule for Classes I to V in govt schools this year. According to the revised schedule, students will appear for the exams from April 7 to 17. The kids studying in Classes I to III will take their final exam on April 11.
“Due to demands from parents and an order from chief minister M K Stalin, the schedule for exams for primary classes has been advanced by a few days,” a release from the directorate of elementary education said. As per the earlier schedule, the exams were to be conducted from April 9 to 21.
Teachers said young kids were not able to cope with the hot weather. “We are witnessing a spike in heat-related diseases, including skin rashes among young children. So, this early summer vacation will help them to stay safe,” said Robert, a secondary school teacher.
There are around 20 lakh children studying in Classes I to V in govt primary and middle schools across the state. They will write the exam for 60 marks from 10 am to noon. For students studying in Classes VI to IX, there will not be any change in the schedule.
“The exams for Classes VI to IX are scheduled whenever there is a gap between exams for Class X students. So, changing the schedule for these students will be tough,” said an official from the school education department. The exams for these students will end on April 24.
Parents have demanded that all primary schools in the state declare summer vacation according to the revised schedule from the directorate of elementary education. CBSE schools will start the new academic year in the first week of April and close for summer vacation in the last week of the month.