The Tamil Nadu Government announced on 4 February 2020 that they were cancelling the public exams for TN Board classes 5 and 8. In September 2019, an order had been released with the decision to introduce Public exams for State board students of classes 5 and 8, starting March-April 2020. However, following requests from the stakeholders, a decision was made to scrap the earlier Government order. According to the latest statement released by School Education Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan, the existing system of exams is expected to prevail.

The move to introduce board exams for Class 5 and TN Board Class 8 has already caused an uproar amidst activists and educationalists. They believe that forcing children from the age of 10 and 13 to sit through a board exam is likely to exert unnecessary pressure on them, from a very young age. Also, it could lead to a higher number of dropouts, especially girl children.

Meanwhile, activists also emphasize that conducting board exams for Classes 5 and 8 of TN Board would deprive students of the freedom and joy, as parents would start to pressure them to perform well in the board exams, from their Class 5 onwards, till they complete their schooling.

However, at the same time, the stakeholders also state that such a policy could cause an increase in child labour. Parents of non-performing students belonging to lesser fortunate sections of the society may discourage their wards from continuing with their schooling.

Students preparing for the board exams can meanwhile find information regarding resources such as Samacheer Kalvi Books, previous year papers and syllabus from BYJU’S.