Tamil Nadu: Attendance not compulsory for Online Classes, Says State Government

The Department of School Education of Tamil Nadu has stated that attendance is not compulsory for online classes and will not be part of their final performance evaluation. The department also released a set of mandatory guidelines for holding online classes.

According to a senior official of the department, students from government schools are the worst-affected as most of them lack access to the Internet and digital devices. Other students find it difficult to cope with the absence of face-to-face classes.

Also Read: Tamil Nadu Universities to Conduct Final Year Offline Exams after September 15: KP Anbalagan

Last week, two students committed suicide allegedly due to stress caused by online classes and examinations.

In its order, the Department of School Education has stated that students who missed online classes will be taught when schools physically reopen. Students must not be forced to attend online classes, and words such as “like”, “should”, “must”, “compulsory”, “will be counted in attendance”, “grades/marks/evaluation is based on this,” must not be used by teachers.

Also Read: Tamil Nadu Govt. to Conduct Arrear Exams for Final Year Students, No Exam for Other Students

Teachers have been urged to instead focus on the emotional well-being of students. Schools have been asked to appoint a counsellor to monitor classes. Teachers have been asked to incorporate healthy practices among children, such as exercise and nutrition. They have also been encouraged to discuss online learning and related issues with children and parents.

Students, parents and teachers have welcomed the order.

The Principal of Chennai Middle School, Kathivakkam, Ennore, said that there was a sharp decline in attendance after classes went online. “Hardly three out of 32 students attend these classes as others couldn’t afford access to them,” she said.

A parent complained that too many assignments are given, and classes go on for a minimum of five hours. She was relieved after hearing about the order.

The president of the Tamil Nadu Students’ Parents’ Welfare Association said that the online mode was commercializing education.

“Several families had lost their jobs but were forced to pay more to schools, fearing their wards would lose out on education. This has exposed the inequalities in our society. There should be no online learning at all until schools reopen,” he said.