Chennai: In a press release today DMK President MK Stalin has criticized the TN stating the government for gearing up to hold 10th public exams at a stage when COVID positive cases are increasing every day. At present, the government should be totally focussed on ways to bring down the virus spread and other associated issues, to the contrary it's shocking to see the AIADMK led state government putting pressure on students to prepare for exams during an unprecedented situation like this, he alleged.
Chennai: In a press release today DMK President MK Stalin has criticized the TN stating the government for gearing up to hold 10th public exams at a stage when COVID positive cases are increasing every day. At present, the government should be totally focussed on ways to bring down the virus spread and other associated issues, to the contrary it's shocking to see the AIADMK led state government putting pressure on students to prepare for exams during an unprecedented situation like this, he alleged.
He proposed that the government should re-consider the decision of holding exams starting from June 1, and not be lethargic in considering the safety of the students.
Pointing at the fourth phase of the lockdown continuing till May 31, MK Stalin expressed discontent over the Tamil Nadu government's stubborn stance of holding public exams for the 10th-grade students.
He added, despite the lingering confusion over the number of infections in Tamil Nadu and the apparent mix-up over the number of tests, the status quo is very murky.
The DMK leader further said with over 11,000 infections, Tamil Nadu stands close to the worst hit Maharashtra and Gujarat.
It is out-and-out arrogance on the part of Education Minister to ignore the pandemic situation and risk the health of the students.
He added that students and parents are not against conducting the public exams but favour a postponement until the uncertain risks around the COVID-19 are alleviated to a considerable extent. MK Stalin said that the undue stress of participating in online classes and securing e-pass for students to return from outstations for both the parents and students is totally uncalled for.
The weekly "Kalki" has published a letter by KA Padmaja, mother of a student of class 10, who wrote to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu urging him to understand the mental state of the parents and student. In his press release, MK Stalin quoted a few concerns raised in the letter.
The parent in her letter said, "there were several announcements like English paper exam will not be conducted as first and second papers, but as one paper for 100 marks and that no extra classes would be conducted for the students. The amount of confusion and distress that this has landed the students, teachers and parents in is colossal."
She questioned while the entire world is paralyzed with COVID-19 pandemic, how could the students get access to online classes and prepare for exams. She opined that instead of the public exams, students can be admitted to educational institutions offering higher education through entrance exams scheduled by them after the pandemic crisis.
She urged the government to concentrate on the public infected with coronavirus and implement measures to eliminate poverty in families. She demanded the government to create a society with no threat of COVID-19 after which they will send their children to school. She suggested a three-week period of preparation and revision for the children once normalcy returns.
MK Stalin said that the letter mirrors the agony of the parents and students in Tamil Nadu. He questioned the logic behind the Education Minister’s announcement which states the exams will be held from June 1 and teachers will be provided with protective equipment.