Practical exams for Class IX students

From next year, practicals will be part of the public examinations

Practical examinations will be introduced in science subjects in State Board schools from this year for students of Class IX.

This move is in preparation for the ‘Samacheer Kalvi' system which will come in to effect for all classes from the next academic year in Tamil Nadu. Since the Matriculation stream already has practicals for Class X for which marks are given in the public examinations, the State Board schools also are being geared up for the change.

“It is essential to begin with Class IX students this year because the same set of students are going to take practicals in public examinations in March, 2012. The move is meant to make the students get an idea about the practical examinations.” S. Karmegam, Joint Director (Higher Secondary), told

The Hindu here on Saturday.

Under the ‘Samacheer Kalvi' system, the Government has amalgamated the four Boards — State Board, Matriculation, Anglo-Indian and Oriental — to create one common Board of School Education. Uniform syllabus and examination system are coming into effect from 2011-12 academic year.

M. Kutralingam, Principal Secretary to School Education Department, conducted a review meeting here on Saturday with officials of 13 districts in this regard.