Tamil Nadu to promote class 9 to 11 students without exams: CM Palaniswami

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday (February 25) said that the state government has decided to promote the students of classes 9, 10, and 11 to the next class without any examinations in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Students of classes 9, 10 and 11 will be promoted to the next class without taking exams, in the light of COVID-19 pandemic," said the chief minister, in the state legislative assembly.

The state government took its decision after receiving inputs from medical experts. It was suggested that the pandemic situation in the state was not conducive to conducting the SSCL and plus one exam.

After the government's decision, the students of classes 9, 10, and 11 will now get their marks based on the internal assessment. As for the marks of the pending exam, they will be divided on the basis of two parameters. About 80 per cent of the students' marks will depend on their performance in the quarterly and half-yearly examinations. The rest of the 20 per cent of their marks will be based on their attendance.

In another announcement, the Tamil Nadu government has also increased the retirement age of government employees from 59 to 60.

"Tamil Nadu Government increases the retirement age of government employees from 59 to 60," said Tamil Nadu CM.

As on date, Tamil Nadu recorded 8,49,629 total cases, 12,478 deaths and 8,33,089 discharges.

Meanwhile, as 16,738 new COVID-19 cases and 138 deaths were reported in India in the last 24 hours, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) said on Thursday.

With the new cases, the Coronavirus tally in the country has reached 1,10,46,914 including 1,51,708 active cases and 1,07,38,501 discharges.The death toll has mounted to 1,56,705 with the loss of 138 lives.

(With inputs from ANI)