Change the timing for SSLC exam, demands Tamil Nadu headmasters' forum

The appeals were put forth during the State executive committee meeting held in Tiruchi on Sunday.

The Tamil Nadu Higher Secondary School Headmasters’ Association has appealed to the government to change the timing of the SSLC examination , increase the number of posts of district education officers, appoint a nodal officer to monitor execution of welfare schemes, and to sanction salary increment for promoted candidates.

The appeals were put forth during the State executive committee meeting held in Tiruchi on Sunday. More than 100 members from across the State participated in the meeting.

“Our primary demand is that the government must continue to conduct the SSLC examination in the current pattern and not change it to a trimester system,” said Samy Sathiyamoorthy, State general secretary of the association.

The timing of 9:15 a.m. for SSLC examination this year is too early, and it would be difficult for rural students to find transportation to reach the venue in time. Government should change the timings to 10 a.m., he said.

The salary of headmasters should also be increased to be on a par with that of their central government counterparts as early as possible. The number of posts of district education officer (DEO) must also be increased, the association has said.

“In addition to their existing duties of managing schools, headmasters are now monitoring the implementation of various welfare schemes . This adds to their workload and hence we appeal to the government to appoint nodal officers to handle implementation of welfare schemes,” Mr. Sathiyamoorthy said.

The association has also appealed for a three percent salary increment for candidates who are promoted from the post of postgraduate teacher to higher secondary school headmaster.

The government must also revive the post of supervisor under SSA (Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan).