Tamil Nadu School Education Department’s negligence has caused a first-generation learner from Nilgiris to lose two years of her education. Despite failing three subjects in the Class 10 board exams in 2022, the student was admitted to Classes 11 and 12 and allowed to sit for the public exams, which she passed. This oversight came to light only when the student applied for college admission, invalidating two years of her high school education and forcing her to enroll in an Industrial Training Institute (ITI) for a wireman course based on her Class 8 marks.
The girl, who studied at a government high school in Aravenu, Nilgiris, had failed mathematics, science, and social science in the Class 10 exams. However, in violation of the rules, the headmistress of a government higher secondary school in Kotagiri admitted her to Class 11 in the vocational stream (Office Management and Secretaryship) even before the supplementary exams were completed. She passed mathematics in the supplementary exams held in August 2022 but failed the other two subjects again.
Despite this, she continued with her education, taking her Class 11 exams in March 2023 and securing 310 out of 600 marks. She completed Class 12 the following year, passing with 306 out of 600 marks. The issue came to light when she applied for a BCom seat in a government college, only to have her application rejected, citing her failure in the Class 10 exams. This left her unable to continue her studies and forced to take up an ITI course.
The student explained that she followed the guidance of her teachers when applying for Class 11. She was told to submit her Class 10 mark sheet and transfer certificate to the Kotagiri school and proceed with her studies. “I was never told to wait for the results of my supplementary exams,” she said. The headmistress of the Kotagiri school, D Ameelia, who retired in 2024, has refused to comment on the issue.
The student later learned that she had been admitted to Class 11 without meeting the necessary requirement of passing Class 10. After her application for college was rejected, she was advised to retake the supplementary exams. School Education Director S Kannappan acknowledged the issue but also implied that the student, being the first in her family to attend school, may not have been fully aware of the rules.
Child rights activist A Devaneyan criticized the school education department for its failure to follow proper procedures, questioning how the Directorate of Government Examinations issued the student’s mark sheets without considering her Class 10 results. He has called for an investigation into the matter and legal action against the headmistress, district officials, and the DGE.
Educationist Su Moorthy has suggested that the department assist the student in clearing her supplementary exams and issue a special government order to validate her Class 11 and 12 marks. This would allow her to pursue college education or apply for government jobs without being hindered by the administrative error.
This case highlights significant flaws in the education system and calls for better oversight to ensure students from all backgrounds receive the guidance they need to succeed. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of accountability at every level to prevent similar errors in the future, ensuring no student is left behind due to administrative negligence. The government must take swift action to prevent such incidents from affecting other vulnerable learners, ensuring fairness and equal opportunities for all.
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