TN raises retirement age to 60; cancels board exams for 10th & 11th standard

The government had cancelled exams for 10th standard students for the academic year 2020-21 due to Covid-19

It was raining announcements in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Thursday. Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, who has making a slew of announcements and sops for people in the run up to the elections, surprised school students by declaring that board exams for 9th, 10th and 11th standard stand cancelled for the 2020-2021 academic year.

He also announced that the government was increasing the age of retirement of its employees from 59 to 60. The age was increased to 59 from 58 last year as the government found it difficult to pay them benefits in view of the Covid-19 situation.

“Students have been learning only through Kalvi TV for the past one year, and considering the difficulties in learning online, the syllabus was reduced. Moreover, after taking into account the difficulties and suffering faced by students and teachers and the demand from parents, the government has decided not to conduct board exams for 9th, 10th and 11th standard,” Palaniswami said.

He added that the students will be promoted to the next class without any exams. The government had cancelled exams for 10th standard students for the academic year 2020-21 due to the Covid-19 situation.

The announcement evoked mixed reactions, with educationalists flagging concerns over cancellation of exams. “TN Govt decision to pass all 9th,10th, & 11th students may not be 100% right decision. Could have conducted online exam for 10th standard at least. For 11th standard students its going be challenging when they face competitive exams like NEET when they complete 12th,” Jayaprakash Gandhi, career consultant and analyst, said.

In another announcement, Palaniswami said the retirement age will now be increased to 60 from the current 59. The announcement will be applicable to employees working with the government, its allied organisations, and PSUs who will be retiring on May 31, 2021.