A zero academic year is one during which no academic activities are conducted, including exams and classes. Some reports said the state government is considering declaring a complete holiday for this academic year in view of pandemic.
Speaking to reporters, Sengottaiyan said the government will release the schedule for board exams soon.
Union education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank had said that the schedule for CBSE Class X and XII board exams would be announced on December 31. The state government will decide on the schedule considering the CBSE exam dates since the dates of National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) 2021 and Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) 2021 will be decided based on these dates, the minister said.
When asked about the reopening of schools, Sengottaiyan said some states have had to shut down schools after reopening following the rise in Covid-19 cases among students. “The state will take a decision considering all these aspects,” he said.
On the issue of showing Tamil poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar in a saffron attire, the minister said the school education department will seek an explanation from the official and initiate departmental action against him.