Class XII board exams from May 3; surprised, say schools

Class XII board exams from May 3; surprised, say schools

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:18.02.2021

The Class XII state board exam schedule took many schools by surprise as they were expecting the exams to be held by the end of May or early June. According to the time-table announced by the directorate of government exams (DGE) on Wednesday, the exams will begin on May 3 and end on May 21.

More than 8 lakh students will appear for the boards this year. Exams will be conducted from 10am to 1.15pm with the first 15 minutes being given to read the question paper and verify particulars in the answer sheet.

Schools said the new time-table gives them just 74 days to complete the syllabus, revise the lessons and hold model exams. Some teachers said they may have to rush through the lessons to finish the syllabus. However, others said the time-table will ensure the next academic year started on time.

Students TOI spoke to said they need more time to prepare and lack writing practice. “We are hoping to get our doubts from online classes cleared. With two to three chapters in each subject still pending, we needed more time. But the board exam schedule gives only around 70 days to prepare,” said Divya, a Class XII student from the city.

Tisha Karen, another student, said a one-day gap between biology and chemistry exams is “not ideal”.

Principals said DGE could have given one more month time considering the pandemic. “We have not completed the portions,” said Agnes Rita, principal of GRT Mahalakshmi Vidhyalaya Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Ashok Nagar.

“June would have been ideal as schools need more time. Exams before June will have a huge impact on the performance of students,” said N Vijayan, senior principal of Zion Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Tambaram.

But K John, headmaster of Thiru Vi Ka Higher Secondary School in Shenoy Nagar said being an election year, the DGE has come out with a schedule “keeping various aspects in mind”. “Students also need to prepare for exams JEE and NEET and schools have to start next academic year on time,” he said.