While, on one hand, the Tamil Nadu government has issued a fresh schedule for the class 10 board exams in the state, on the other hand, it is yet to issue the official clarification on how the stranded students would be transported to their homes amid the lockdown as the existing unclarity had buzzed up the students and parents on appearing for the board examinations. 

Amid the developments, Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Sengottaiyan has said that the state government is aware of the sections of the students stranded away from their homes due to the lack of transportation services. 

While addressing the reporters in Erode on Thursday, the minister said that the government will be issuing a clear statement on May 19 concerning such stranded students. The minister stated that many students couldn't return to their homes in the wake of the lockdown and they have been staying back at their relatives' houses in other districts. 

With the view of rescuing them before the board exams, the minister claimed that the government will be issuing the statement after holding discussions with the Chief Minister. Amid the criticism over the announcement of the exams when the state has been witnessing a rapid spread of the virus, Sengottaiyan said that the final schedule for class 10 exams was released by considering the welfare of the students and after holding discussions with the experts.

According to the schedule, class 10 board exams will be commencing on June 1st and will run till June 12th. The exams were deferred earlier by citing the lockdown, which had closed the educational institutions. Upon releasing the schedule, the Chief Minister has directed the collectors to inspect the examination centers before the commencement and they have been instructed to ensure the grounds of safe transportations of students from their houses to the exam centers. On May 12, the school education department has issued a fresh schedule for class 10 board exams.

On Wednesday, the Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teacher Organizations and Government Employees Organizations (JACTTO GEO) has demanded the state government to defer the board exams of class 10 to avoid the COVID-19 infection among teachers and students. The council has said that the announcement of the board exams is unacceptable as the state and central governments haven't taken a decision of ending or extending the lockdown. 

Also read: Class 10 board exams in TN to begin on June 1st - Here's the update!