The School Education Department in Coimbatore district has said that it will issue the annual certificates to students enrolled in the National Service Scheme (NSS) and have completed their Plus Two board exams by May 6, guaranteeing two extra marks when applying to government colleges or appearing for NDA or CRPF recruitment exams.
This benefit applies to around 890 NSS volunteers from government and government-aided schools in the district.
According to a senior official in the department, the certificates are usually issued by April 25. However, there has been a delay this year owing to discrepancies in collating data on NSS students in all schools.
The certificates are crucial as they provide an advantage in college admissions, especially in government colleges. “Provisional certificates are accepted by colleges during the application process, but only if NSS certificates are issued will the provisional marksheets reflect the grade,” said M. Mohammad Kaja, a government school teacher and member of the Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachers Organisations and Government Employees Organisation (Jacto-Geo).
While most districts have issued these certificates well in advance, Coimbatore district has fallen behind. However, officials have said that the delay will be rectified soon. If the certificates are issued before provisional marksheets, the two extra marks will be added to the exam grades. If there is a delay, the marks will be added later in the final marksheet.
Students in Plus One and Plus Two are eligible to participate in the NSS though enrolment is not mandatory. However, schools have the discretion to make NSS participation compulsory for their students.
