SCHOOL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

POLICY NOTE – 2018-2019

I. POLICY

“If a State has to achieve knowledge

based Human Development, the State
must ensure that everyone gets Quality
Education without any barrier”
- Hon’ble Former Chief Minister
Puratchi Thalaivi Amma Avargal

1. The Government of Tamil Nadu is

committed to provide 'quality education for all',
which is evident by the fact that the School
Education Department has been provided the highest
allocation of Rs.27,205.88 crore in the Budget 2018-
19. The conscious endeavors, supported by such
huge budgetary allocations, taken by educational
visionaries in Tamil Nadu to make quality education
accessible to every section of the society, have
yielded rich dividends in terms of building a vibrant
society.

2. The educationists and other stake-holders

have rightly realized that the next logical step is to
make education, child-centric. The concept of
universalization of education with an objective of
social, cultural and economic empowerment has all
along been the top priority of the policy makers.

3. Thrust on bringing the girl children into the

mainstream of education has led to women
empowerment in the society. All forms of social
oppression based on caste, creed, gender and social
status have been gradually dismantled by quality
education.

4. Rapid strides on the frontiers of Science and

Technology have opened up many avenues for the
student community to spread their wings and prove
their mettle. In this context, it has become
imperative to tune upgrade the skills of students to
the emerging needs. The efforts taken by the
Government in this direction have vastly enhanced
the job opportunities to lakhs of people, thereby
raising their standard of living.

5. The knowledge and information era has

spawned newer insights into the administration of

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education. The impact of education in the economic
upliftment of individuals in particular and the country
in general has been realized by all concerned. The
policy makers have also realized the need to infuse
new concepts in dissemination of education,
commensurate with the emerging trends. Use of
information and communications technology (ICT) in
teaching and learning is being leveraged to the
fullest extent.

6. Access, infrastructure, availability of

teachers, quality content, capacity building of
teachers, computerization and digitization of the
content and class room process have been the
primary focus areas of the School Education
Department.

7. Thrust on creating educational

infrastructure and other facets in the recent past
have improved access and affordability towards
education to a great extent. An amount of Rs.
721.09 crore, in the last two years has been spent
for providing school buildings, additional class rooms,

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toilets, drinking water facilities, compound wall,
kitchen sheds, special infrastructure facilities for
Children With Special Needs (CWSN) etc.

8. In order to improve access and retention of

students in schools, the Government has been
continuing with welfare schemes for students such as
four sets of uniform, woollen sweaters for children
studying in hilly areas, laptop, special cash incentive
to reduce dropouts, school bag, geometry box,
footwear, colour pencils, crayons, atlas, textbooks,
notebooks, cycle, bus pass, noon meal and financial
assistance to children who have lost their bread
winning parents. A sum of Rs.1967.47 crore has
been earmarked for these welfare schemes for the
year 2018-19.

9. The persistent efforts taken by the

Government on various aspects have resulted in
increase in Net Enrolment Rate at the primary level
from 99.63 in 2011-12 to 99.86 in 2017-18, at the
upper primary level from 98.88 in 2011-12 to 99.22

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in 2017-18. There has been substantial decrease in
the dropout rates.

10. The focus has now shifted towards

attainment of quality education. At present, the
emphasis is on improvement of scope along with
excellence in delivery of education. The State is keen
on making the educational service, a wholesome
process for citizens.

11. The Government has taken many

initiatives in the recent past to improve quality of
education and learning environment. Some of these
initiatives are; the curriculum and syllabus have
been revised after a gap of more than 12 years for
11 and 12 standard and more than 7 years for
standards 1 to 10; the work of writing textbook has
also gained momentum; the ranking system based
on the marks secured by the students has been
abolished to curb unhealthy competition among
schools; Board examination for class 11 has been
introduced to build capacity of students to face any
competitive examination; introduction of ICT in

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schools has been taken up in a big way by
establishing hi-tech labs in all Government high and
higher secondary schools and smart classes in
primary and middle schools.

12. The basis of all such policy initiatives in

Tamil Nadu is well-entrenched in historical
foundations and philosophic perspectives. It is the
vision of the great leader Puratchi Thalaivi
Dr.J.Jayalalithaa who documented the “Vision Tamil
Nadu 2023” which lays the basic foundation of the
document taking into consideration the past
experiences and present challenges. They shall be
responsive and adaptive to the changes in the field
and flexible to harmonize with the evolving
situations.

The policy note for the year 2018-19 is

hereby presented in the earnest hope of serving the
cause of education and facilitating a quantum leap in
its evolution.

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 II. FINANCIAL OUTLAY

The outlay for School Education in 2018-19 in

Demand No.43 is Rs.27,205.88 crore.

Budget Estimate 2018-19

(Rupees in Lakhs)

Head of Account State Externally Central Schemes Total

Expenditure Aided Sector shared
Project Schemes between
State and
Centre
Revenue Section
2051 Public Service 406.60 406.60
Commission
2059 Public Works 3840.00 3840.00
2202 General
Education
1 Elementary 1179219.49 175000.00 1354219.49
Education
2 Secondary 1195140.73 98287.78 1293428.51
Education
4 Adult 225.17 2733.80 2958.97
Education
5 Language 1442.47 0.05 2.51 1445.03
Development
Total - General 2376027.86 0.05 276024.09 2652052.00
Education
2204 Sports and Youth 139.85 47.48 187.33
Services
2205 Art and Culture 12066.67 0.01 12066.68
2225 Welfare of SC and 16841.14 16841.14
ST and Other
Backward Classes
2235 Social Security 244.70 244.70
and Welfare
2251 Secretariat-Social 801.16 801.16
Services
Revenue Section Total 2410367.98 0.05 276071.58 2686439.61

Capital Section
4202 Capital Outlay 33436.42 483.22 33919.64

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 Capital Section Total 33919.64
Loan Section

7610 Loans to 0.01 0.01

Government
Servants
7615 Miscellaneous 0.01 0.01
Loans
Loan Section Total 0.02

Grand Total Net 2720359.27

ADD – Recoveries
Under Revenue 228.77
Section
Recoveries Total 228.77

Grand Total for Demand No. 43 2720588.04

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 III. POLICIES AND SCHEMES

1. WELFARE SCHEMES

1 Introduction

The Government has been distributing the

following cost free items to motivate and retain
children in Government and Government aided
schools.

1.1 Textbooks

Textbooks are being provided free of cost to all

students of Government and Government aided
schools studying in 1 to 12 standards. During the
academic year 2012–13, the Government introduced
trimester system. It has reduced the burden of
students from carrying heavy load of books. The text
books are distributed to the students on the opening
day of the term. First term starts from June, second
term starts from October and the third term starts
from January. In the academic year 2017-18, 77.47
lakh students studying in standards 1 to 12 were
benefitted by this scheme.

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 A sum of Rs.195.25 crore has been allocated
for the continuance of the scheme during the
academic year 2018-19.

1.2 Notebooks

The scheme of providing notebooks to the

student studying in standards 1 to 10 in Government
and Government aided schools was introduced in the
academic year 2012-13. In the academic year
2017-18, 61.60 lakh students have been benefitted.
The notebooks are distributed to the students on the
opening day of every term.
A sum of Rs.107.20 crore has been allocated
for the continuance of the scheme during the
academic year 2018-19.

1.3 Laptop

Students studying in higher secondary

standards in Government and Government aided
schools are provided with cost free Laptops since
2011-12. In the academic year 2017-18, 5.30 lakh
students would be benefitted.

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 A sum of Rs.758.04 crore has been allocated
for the continuance of the scheme during the
academic year 2018-19.

1.4 Four sets of uniforms

Four sets of uniform are provided to students

studying in Government and Government aided
schools in 1 to 8 standards and enrolled in Puratchi
Thalaivar Dr. M.G.R. Nutritious Meal Programme. The
number of sets of uniform has increased from 1 set
to 2 sets in 2011-12 and to 4 sets from 2012-13
onwards. In the academic year 2017-18, 41.19 lakh
students have been benefitted under this scheme.
A sum of Rs.414.30 crore has been allocated
for the year 2018-19 for this scheme.

1.5 Footwear

Footwear is being provided to all students

studying in 1 to 10 standards in Government and
Government aided schools from the academic year
2012-13. In the year 2017-18, 56.95 lakh students
were benefitted by this scheme.

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 A sum of Rs.81.50 crore has been allocated for
the continuance of the scheme during the academic
year 2018-19.

1.6 School Bag

School bags are provided to all children

studying In Government and Government aided
schools in 1 to 12 standards from the year 2012-13.
The Government has been allocating fund every year
to implement this scheme since 2012-13. In the year
2017-18, 68.89 lakh students have been benefited
by this scheme.

1.7 Crayons

Crayons are provided to all the students

studying in 1 and 2 standards in Government and
Government aided schools every year. This item was
introduced in the year 2012-13. In the year 2017-18,
9.26 lakh students have been benefited by this
scheme.

1.8 Colour Pencils

The scheme of providing colour pencils to the

students studying in standards 3 to 5 in Government

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and Government aided schools was introduced in the
academic year 2012-13. During the academic year
2017-18, 15.48 lakh students have been benefitted.

1.9 Geometry Box

The scheme of providing geometry box to the

students studying in standards 6 to 8 in Government
and Government aided schools was introduced in the
year 2012-13. The scheme has been successfully
implemented for students in 6 standard and new
students in standards 7 and 8 since 2013-14. During
the academic year 2017-18, 7.12 lakh students have
been benefitted.

A sum of Rs.88.58 crore has been allocated for

continuance of the schemes of School Bag, Crayon,
Colour Pencil and Geometry Box during the academic
year 2018-19.

1.10 Woolen Sweaters

In the year of 2013-14, the Government has

introduced the scheme of distribution of woolen
sweaters to students studying in standards 1 to 8 in

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Government and Government aided schools in hilly
areas. During the academic year 2017-18, 1.16 lakh
students have been benefitted.

A sum of Rs.3.00 crore has been allocated for

the continuance of the scheme during the academic
year 2018-19.

1.11 Rain Coats, Boots and Socks

Students of standards 1 to 8 studying in

Government and Government aided schools in hilly
areas, who are enroled in the Puratchi Thalaivar
Dr.MGR Nutritious Meal Programme are provided
with rain coats, boots and socks. This scheme was
introduced in the year 2016-17. 1.16 lakh students
have been benefited by this scheme in the year
2017-18.

1.12 Atlas

Atlas is provided to students studying in 6 to

10 standards in Government and Government aided
schools every year. This scheme was introduced in

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the year 2012-13. In the year 2017-18, 7.11 lakh
students have been benefited by this scheme.
A sum of Rs.3.25 crore has been allocated for
the continuance of the scheme during the academic
year 2018-19.

1.13 Bus Pass

Bus passes are issued every year to the

students in standards 1 to 12 studying in all schools
to easily access their schools. This plan is being
implemented by the Transport Department. 17.61
lakh students studying in schools have been
benefitted in the year 2017-18.

This scheme will be continued in the academic

year 2018-19.

1.14 Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. MGR Nutritious

Meal Programme

The students studying in standards 1 to 10 are

provided with noon meal under the Puratchi
Thalaivar Dr. MGR Nutritious Meal Programme. This
Scheme is being implemented by Social Welfare and
Nutritious Meal Department. During the academic

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year 2017-18, 40.53 lakh students have been
benefitted under this scheme.

This scheme will be continued in the academic

year 2018-19.

1.15 Financial assistance for students who lose

their bread winning parents

Financial Assistance is given to the students of

standards 1 to 12 studying in Government and
Government aided schools whose bread winning
parent (father or mother) expires or becomes
permanently incapacitated in accident. The
Government is keen to ensure that the children of
such parents are not affected due to such unforeseen
dire circumstances. An amount of Rs.75,000 is
deposited in the name of the student in a Public
Sector Undertaking. The financial assistance was
increased from Rs.50,000 to Rs.75,000 in the
academic year 2014-15. 1487 students have been
benefitted in the year 2017-18.

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 A sum of Rs.4.70 crore has been allocated for
the continuance of the scheme during the academic
year 2018-19.

1.16 Student Accident Relief Scheme

The Government has launched this innovative

scheme, which provides for financial relief to
students, who meet with unexpected accidents while
in schools or on school related activities. Students
studying in Government, Government aided and local
body schools are covered under this scheme. Under
the scheme, financial assistance of Rs.1,00,000 for
accidental death, Rs.50,000 for major injuries and
Rs.25,000 for minor injuries is provided to the family
of student. Unlike the regular insurance schemes,
the scheme promises a speedy disbursal of relief to
the beneficiary well within 48 hours of the accident.
The scheme envisions to cover more than 81 lakh
students.

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 2. ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
2.1. Introduction

Elementary Education sets the foundation for

gaining basic knowledge, values and skills for every
child. In order to implement the Right of Children to
Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 in
its true spirit and to ensure the quality of elementary
education for each and every child in the age group
of 6 to 14 irrespective of their caste, religion and
economical status, various welfare measures and
innovative schemes have been introduced by the
Government. These schemes and innovations have
helped in making Tamil Nadu a leading beacon for
elementary education in India. The Government has
been striving hard to improve quality of education
and to provide access to schools in the immediate
neighbourhood.
2.2. Objectives
 Ensuring 100% enrolment and retention of
all children in 6-14 age group
 Implementation of RTE Act, 2009
 Providing quality education in all schools
 Opening of new primary schools

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  Upgrading of primary schools to upper
primary schools
 Opening residential schools in sparsely
populated areas
 Providing transport and escort services to
children in habitations, where opening of
new school is not feasible, particularly, in
areas of dense forests and remote areas of
hilly regions
 Providing an inclusive environment in
schools conducive to Children With Special
Needs (CWSN) and children belonging to
weaker section and disadvantaged group
 Improving listening, speaking, reading,
writing and arithmetic skills of the children
 Enriching the knowledge of the children in
scholastic and co-scholastic areas
2.3. Special Measures for Universal Elementary
Education

The following special measures are taken by

the Government towards providing universal
elementary education.

2.3.1 Access to schools

The Government is of the view that providing

access to schools in the immediate neighbourhood
would ensure high attendance. The RTE, Act, 2009

19
envisaged laying down the neighbourhood norms,
i.e., the distance within which every habitation
should have a primary / upper primary school. The
Tamil Nadu Right of Children to Free and Compulsory
Education (RTE) Rules, 2011, provide that a primary
school can be established within a distance of one
km, and upper primary school within three km.
A scientific tool based on Geographic Information
System (GIS) mapping has been developed on the
basis of norms envisaged in the Tamil Nadu RTE
Rules, 2011 to help the administration in taking
decision to improve access to elementary education.
Revision of curriculum, syllabus and textbooks and
strengthening pedagogical process with usage of ICT
in every classroom are major initiatives of the
Government to ensure quality education to all
children. Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation
(CCE) in every class room on regular basis would
also ensure quality education to every child.

2.3.1.1. GIS Database 2017-18

A GIS database with tagging of schools related

information is being maintained since 2012-13 under

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Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). Many layers such as
availability of infrastructure, strength of students etc,
are being superimposed for improving decision
making based on spatial data. This has been made
web-centric and user friendly for both the
department and the public. All the 58,033 schools
and 92,234 habitations in our State have been
mapped on GIS database. Customized colours and
shapes have been used to identify different
management and categories of schools.

GIS Mapping
School mapping exercise has been undertaken
to devise a suitable strategy to ensure that the
children in un-served habitation have safe access to

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school in the context of RTE rules, 2011. In
Tamil Nadu, there are 92,234 habitations, out of which,
89,958 habitations are served by Government and
Government aided primary schools. At upper primary
level, 91,040 habitations are served by Government and
Government aided upper primary schools.

2.3.2 Transport and Escort Facilities

Transport and escort facilities are provided to

children hailing from unserved habitations,
particularly situated in the forest areas and hilly
regions since 2012-13. In the year 2017-18, 14,787
children have been benefitted under this component
with budget allocation of Rs.4.44 crore.

2.3.3 Opening of new schools and upgradation

of existing schools over the years

S.No. Year New Upgradation of

primary existing primary
schools school into middle
schools
1 2013-14 54 0
2 2014-15 128 42
3 2015-16 39 5
4 2016-17 6 4
Total 227 51

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 Permission have been granted to open 20 new
primary schools in the year 2017-18

2.3.4 Residential Schools

As per the RTE Act, 2009, it is mandatory that

every school age child (6-14 years) is to be enrolled
in the school. In order to ensure enrolment of all
school age children in schools, residential schools are
being established in sparsely populated hilly and
forest terrains as well as in urban areas for the
benefit of deprived children, street children and
children without adult protection. The Government
has established 11 access residential schools. In the
year 2017-18, 877 children have been benefitted.
The total expenditure under this component has
been Rs.5.33 crore in the year 2017-18.

2.3.5 Infrastructure facilities

New school buildings, additional classrooms,

toilets and drinking water facilities have been
provided to Government schools at a cost of
Rs. 1072.70 crore during 2011- 2017 under SSA.

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968 civil works have been taken up at a cost of
Rs. 66.11 crore in the year 2017-18.

2.3.6 Appreciation Certificates for Teachers and

Students with 100% attendance

The teachers and students, who attend school

without taking any leave, are being honoured by
awarding appreciation certificate. In the academic
year 2016-17, 51 teachers and 22,311 students were
honoured with appreciation certificate for 100%
attendance.

2.4. Educational Indicators

The impact of all interventions can be easily

evaluated through indicators. An educational
indicator is a measure of the status of education
system with regard to its goals. The definitions for
some of the educational indicators are given below:

2.4.1 Net Enrolment Rate

Enrolment in primary education (Grades 1-5)

in the age group (6+ to 10+ years) expressed as a
percentage of the children corresponding to the age
group population.

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2.4.2 Gross Enrolment Rate

Total enrolment in primary education (Grades

1-5), regardless of age, expressed as a percentage
of the eligible official primary school-age population
(6+ to 10+ years) in a given school-year.

2.4.3 Retention Rate (Primary)

Enrolment in Grade 5 in a year expressed in

terms of % to enrolment in Grade 1 four years back.

2.4.4 Retention Rate (Upper Primary)

Enrolment in Grade 8 in a year expressed in

terms of % to enrolment in Grade 6 two years back.

2.4.5 Drop Out Rate

Proportion of children dropped out in a cohort

enrolled in a given grade in a given year who are no
longer continued in the following year.

2.4.6 Transition Rate (5-6)

The Transition Rate (TR) from grade 5 to 6 is

calculated based on the number of children who have
passed the grade 5 from primary section and the
number of children who joined in grade 6 in the

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upper primary section in the same year. The State
level TR from standards 5 to 6 stood at 99.1 %
during 2017-18.

2.4.7 Pupil Teacher Ratio

It is the

The table below shows the educational indicators

that prevailed during 2017-18*
Indicators Primary Upper
Primary
Gross Enrolment
106.40 106.35
Rate
Net Enrolment Rate 99.86 99.22
Retention Rate 99.15 98.60
Drop Out Rate 0.85 1.40
Pupil Teacher Ratio 24.02 24.77
*Provisional

2.4.8 Equity in Enrolment

It is important that access and equity go

together in order to make universal elementary
education a reality. Special efforts are made to

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bridge gender and social gaps in enrolment to ensure
retention and to achieve learning outcomes among
children at the primary stage. Special interventions
and strategies are adopted to bring girls, SC/ST
children, CWSN, urban deprived children, children
from minority groups and children of migrant
labourers under the fold of elementary education.

2.4.9 Gender Perspective in Enrolment

At primary level, the percentage of enrolment

of boys and girls is 51.56% and 48.44% respectively
and at upper primary level, the percentage of
enrolment of boys and girls is 51.35% and 48.65%
respectively during 2017-18.

2.5. Initiatives for Child Centric Pedagogy

Tamil Nadu has been pioneer in

implementation of child centric pedagogy in the
Government and Government aided schools. The
endeavour of the Government has been to make the
learning process child friendly and joyful.

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2.5.1 Simplified Activity Based Learning

Simplified Activity Based Learning (SABL) is a

child centric pedagogy. Continuing the tradition of
child-friendly education, the existing pedagogy is
being modified by integrating technology for
standards 1 to 3. 4 different kinds of strategies
targeting different categories such as teacher
contact, peer group, individual and assessment are
being followed to improve the learning outcomes.
This pedagogic structure aims at triggering
intelligence of the child rather than merely following
instructions. There is a space for the child to think,
to discuss, to question and to involve in the
assessment in a fear-free and shy-free atmosphere.
Learning process encourages cooperative and team-
building skills with the scope for the teachers and
children for creativity.

2.5.2 Simplified Active Learning Methodology

Simplified Active Learning Methodology

(SALM), a child centric pedagogy, is implemented in
all Government and Government aided primary and
middle schools for the standards 4 and 5.

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To motivate children to get involved in active
learning from standard 6 on sustainable basis, the
SALM has been designed as hybrid pedagogy
between SABL and Active Learning Methodology. This
methodology gives space to every child to participate
directly and actively in the learning process with the
guidance of the teacher.

2.5.3 Active Learning Methodology

Active Learning Methodology (ALM) is a

learner-centric methodology, which involves students
directly and actively in the learning process. The
foremost aim of ALM is to equip the learner to “learn
to learn”. In a supportive learning environment, the
learner could construct his own knowledge. Teacher,
as a facilitator, has to create and empower every
child with the skill to transform the information into
knowledge. There is enough space for the children to
discuss, to think, and to question. The structure of
the classroom is in small groups. The mind map step
in ALM reflects not only the creativity of the child but
also the level of understanding. Besides, the teacher
could easily identify the individuality of every child.

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  A learner centric approach towards learning
which greatly improves the ability to learn
 It makes learning free from stress, fear and
shyness
 It helps to improve conceptual understanding
 It builds confidence to face exams
 It improves ability to think and to develop
mind map creatively.
 It develops the skill to present, what the child
has learnt
2.5.4 Project Based Learning

Project-based learning provides students with

opportunities to make a difference by solving real
problems and addressing real issues. 6 teachers per
block have been trained on project-based learning.
The trained teachers have been engaged to guide the
students in their schools to do different projects.
2,178 projects done by the students with the
guidance of the teachers have created great impact
on conceptual learning of students. In 2017-18, the
best 3 projects at district level were awarded with
cash prizes, certificates and medals. The expenditure
on this activity was Rs. 27.78 lakh in the year
2017-18.

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 Besides, utilizing the Tamil Nadu Innovative
Initiatives (TANII) fund of Rs.34 lakh, children in
1085 middle schools have prepared and
demonstrated their projects developed on their own
ideas which helped them move from rote learning to
higher order thinking.

Project Based Learning

2.6. English Medium

Recognizing the aspiration of parents for

getting their children educated in English medium,
the Government decided to introduce English
medium sections in Government schools in the year
2012-13. Accordingly, English medium sections were
introduced in a few selected schools in elementary
education during the year 2012-13. This initiative
was well appreciated by the parents. As a result,
enrolment in the English medium sections has

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increased considerably. In the year 2017-18,
6,22,006 children have been enrolled in English
medium sections in 12,738 schools. The teachers
have been regularly trained to teach in English
medium.

2.7. Trimester System

On 26.08.2011, the then Honourable Chief

Minister of Tamil Nadu announced in State
Legislative Assembly that the 'Trimester' pattern
would be introduced in all schools from the academic
year 2012-13. Accordingly, trimester pattern for
standards 1 to 8 was successfully introduced and
implemented to reduce the burden of carrying
heavily loaded school bags. Under the trimester
pattern of education, an academic year has been
divided into three terms and colourful textbooks for
each term have been developed and supplied to
students without compromising content and
competency. With the introduction of trimester
system, the burden of textbooks has been
substantially reduced and learning has also become
comparatively easier and joyful for the students.

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2.8. Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation

The Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation

(CCE) system was introduced for standards 1 to 8 in
the academic year 2012-13. The new evaluation
system has helped in smooth transition from rote
learning to application based approach. Under CCE
each child is comprehensively evaluated in scholastic
as well as in co-scholastic dimensions continuously
throughout the year. The CCE has proved to be
flexible for promoting easy learning and catering to
the assessment needs of individual child.
2.9. Integrating Technology
The 21st century is an age of information and
technology. This has necessitated the integration of
technology with education. Tamil Nadu is the pioneer
state to integrate technology with textbooks,
workbooks and teacher‟s manual. QR Codes have
been affixed which are linked to digital contents. The
teachers and students are able to access the digital
content with the help of QR Codes. The new
approach has been piloted in 16 schools in three
districts viz. Chennai, Kancheepuram and

33
Coimbatore. It is observed that the learning through
physical content and activities was effective even for
standard 1 children. Presently, the pilot project has
been extended to 173 schools in 11 more districts.
2.10. In-service Teachers’ Training
Teachers will be trained on content of new text
books developed based on revised curriculum,
pedagogy, integration of technology, usage of
mathematics, science and language kits. Separate
training for Head teachers on school leadership will
also be organized in coordination with National
University for Educational Planning and
Administration (NUEPA). Capacity building
programme for Block Teacher Educators will also be
given due emphasis. Special teachers will also be
provided with training to enhance the basic learning
skills of all CWSN.

2.11. National Achievement Survey

National Achievement Survey (NAS) was

conducted on 13.11.2017 for standards 3, 5 and 8
for the first time in all the blocks in a few selected
schools, to assess achievements with reference to

34
learning outcomes, which have been formulated by
National Council for Educational Research and
Training (NCERT). Based on the survey findings,
suitable remedial course of action for immediate
interventions and long term interventions for
improvement are being worked out and
activities/programmes for next academic year would
be planned accordingly. The curricular expectation
and expected learning outcomes have been linked in
the classroom pedagogical process and after the
introduction of new curriculum based textbooks,
necessary inputs would be provided to teachers in
2018-19. The Government has also been implementing
several initiatives to provide additional inputs to
children to equip them to participate in Programme for
International Student Assessments (PISA).

2.12. Community Mobilization Programme

2.12.1 School Management Committee

Community participation has been viewed as

an essential element of decentralizing education
governance to the grass root level. The effective

35
implementation of various provisions ensuring the
child‟s right to education along with various
entitlements specified in the RTE Act, 2009 rests with
the School Management Committee (SMC) and Local
Authorities. Accordingly, 42,167 SMCs have been
constituted in Government and Government aided
Schools. The main objective of this committee is to
prepare School Development Plan (SDP) as per the
RTE Act, 2009 and support the school and teachers
in infrastructure facilities and activities for enhancing
childrens‟ learning level.

In the academic year 2018-19, Parent -

Teacher-Students meeting would be held on a
designated day in every school where the class
teachers of each class will share the scholastic and
co-scholastic performance of students. The
community at large and SMC members, in particular,
will be made aware of the provisions of the RTE Act,
2009 and their roles and responsibilities in
supporting the school.

36
2.12.2 Enrolment Awareness Programme

Enrolment rallies, awareness programme and

door to door campaigns were conducted in 413
blocks to increase enrolment in Government schools
from June to August, 2017. Use of auto-rickshaws,
flex boards, banners and pamphlets was also
resorted to reach out to parents and students. The
expenditure on such activities was Rs.33.04 lakh in
the year 2017-18.

Enrolment Awareness Programme

37
2.13 Competitions for School Children

During the year 2017-18, to make children

understand the real essence of the RTE Act, 2009
and to create awareness about girls‟ education,
womens‟ empowerment, sanitation, different
competitions like drawing, essay and oratory were
organised for children from standard 1 to standard 8
in 32,004 Government primary, middle, high and
higher secondary schools at a cost of Rs. 89.73 lakh.

Competitions

38
2.14 Wall Paintings

During the year 2017-18, wall paintings have

been done in selected 2,184 primary and middle
schools covering each block of all the districts.
Specific child-friendly paintings and phonetic letters
have been painted inside the classrooms at a cost of
Rs. 3.28 crore, to make the school premises
attractive and educative.

Wall Paintings

39
2.15. Science Exhibition

In order to inculcate scientific attitude among

students, to identify the budding talents and enable students
to relate science with daily life experiences, science
exhibitions have been organized at cluster level from 2016-
17. In the year 2017-18, science exhibitions have been
organized on the topic “Innovation for Sustainable
Development” at an expenditure of Rs.558.40 lakh. The best
three budding scientists were awarded with cash prizes and
certificates and the overall best performing school was
awarded a shield.

Participation in Science Award Winners

Exhibition

2.16. Self Defense Training

A total of 2000 girl students in 7 and 8

standards of upper primary sections from every
district were selected for self-defense training in the
year 2017-18. Totally 60,000 girls were benefited
from this training at a cost of Rs.180.00 lakh.

40
2.17. School Annual day
During the year 2017-18, annual day
celebrations have been conducted in 7,295
Government primary and middle schools at a cost of
Rs. 5.6 crore to create awareness on provisions of
RTE Act, 2009 among the children and community.

Annual Day Celebrations

41
2.18. Educational Management Information
System

Educational Management Information System

(EMIS) contains the entire data pertaining to schools,
teachers, students and officials on real time basis.
This data is being made available to all stakeholders
and officials to take policy decisions. This has
improved the availability of quality data for data
analytics and data mining for initiating any major
policy decision to improve quality of education. EMIS
is also being synchronized with UDISE database,
maintained by the Ministry of Human Resource
Development (MHRD) as this data is being utilized by
MHRD for finalization of annual work plan for the
State.

2.19. Information and Communication

Technology in Schools (ICT@schools)

2.19.1 Computer Aided Learning

The hands-on computer based learning

enables the children to acquaint themselves with the
computer knowledge in the era of Information
Technology. In 2017-18, 486 Government schools

42
have been provided with 1458 computers at an
expenditure of Rs.592.25 lakh.

Computer Aided Learning

2.19.2 Training to Teachers in ICT

Training in working on computers is being
provided to teachers on a regular basis. The teachers
are also being trained in use of audio, video and
digital content in teaching. 500 key resource persons
have been given intensive training in collaboration
with Microsoft Corporation.

ICT Training

43
2.19.3 Techno Club Competition for Students

To promote effective use of technology,

Techno Clubs are formed in schools with upper
primary sections. In 2017-18, Block and District level
Competitions were held for 8 standard students on
“Integrated Usage of Technology” at an expenditure
of Rs.54.36 lakh. The best performing three students
were awarded with cash prizes, certificates, medals
and trophies.

Award for Best Student

2.19.4 National Teachers Platform

The National Teachers Platform (NTP) is a

complete repository of learning and teaching
materials. This platform provides free educational
resources for school teachers, students and parents.
The teachers will be able to learn to use their

44
teaching skills to create content and share with other
teachers. The platform will serve not only as an
outstanding resource platform for teachers but also
as a platform for evaluation. The NTP will provide all
the resources related to the curriculum to the
teachers. This will also help in giving quality
in-service training anytime anywhere to the
teachers. Even students can directly access the
content and improve learning experiences. This
platform would be leveraged fully to improve quality
of education.

2.20 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidhyalaya

In Tamilnadu, 61 Kasturba Gandhi Balika

Vidhyalaya (KGBV), residential schools, have been
established in 44 educationally backward blocks in
14 districts. It provides education with boarding and
lodging facilities for out of school girls in the age
group of 10–14. To impart quality education,
329 qualified teachers have been appointed in these
schools. A stipend amount of Rs.100/- per child per
month is also given. Group Insurance coverage has
been extended to all the girls during their stay in

45
residential school. In 2017-18, 4,465 girls were
benefitted through KGBVs. The budget provision for
this programme for the year 2017-18 was
Rs. 2455.74 lakh.

2.21 Inclusive Education

2.21.1 Enrolment in Schools and Special

Centres

There were 1,36,134 identified CWSN, of

which, 1,27,864 CWSN were enrolled in schools and
8,270 CWSN were offered Home Based Education in
the year 2017-18. There are 427 school readiness
centres for the age group of 6-18 years of CWSN. In
these centres, 8,162 CWSN were benefited by
getting training in special education and therapy
according to their disabilities. Counseling and
awareness programmes were also organised for
parents of CWSN. In Chennai, there is a State
Resource Centre, where 43 CWSN got benefitted in
special education and therapy according to their
disabilities in the year 2017-18.

46
2.21.2 Early Intervention Centre

There are 85 Early Intervention Centres for

the children from age group of birth to 6 years of
CWSN. In these centres, 1,467 CWSN got benefitted
by getting training in special education and therapy
according to their disabilities in the year 2017-18.

2.22 Out of School Children

The Government has taken special

interventions to enrol Out of School Children, (OoSC)
which have resulted in reduction of dropouts
considerably over the last 7 years. During 2011-12,
63,178 OoSC were identified and this number has
reduced to 36,930 in 2017-18.

Out of the surveyed 36,930 OoSC, 35537 were

enrolled in schools. All the cost free educational kits
provided by the Government were given to
the children in special training centres also.

47
 Survey in seashore area, Thiruvadanai-
Ramanathapuram

Scholarships are being provided to the mainstreamed

children by the Government for retention. The
number of children who completed 8 standard from
special training centres during 2017-18 was 5,332.

Learning activities of Children in RSTC, Uthiramerur

An amount of Rs.18.04 crore was allotted for

the special training interventions during 2017-18.

48
2.23 Education to the Children of Migrant
Labourers

During 2017-18, 4,178 children of migrant

labourers (inter and intra-state) were identified, of
whom 4,103 children were enrolled in age
appropriate class. 100 educational volunteers in
Telugu, Hindi, Bengali and Odiya languages have
been appointed to cater to the needs of 2285
inter-state migrant children. Textbooks in their
mother tongue have also been provided. The migrant
labourers usually return to their native places after
working for a few months. In such cases, proper
bilingual transfer certificates are issued to the
students, so that wherever they go they can continue
their studies without any hindrance.

Children of Migrant Labourers

49
 An amount of Rs.85 lakh has been spent so far
for the benefit of children of migrant labourers.

2.24 Merger of SSA, RMSA and TE.

The Government of India have decided to

integrate Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and
Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and
Teacher Education (TE) as Samagra Shiksha
Abhiyan. SSA is working towards universalising
elementary education and providing equitable quality
education for all children of the age group of 6-14
years, while RMSA supports in making quality
secondary education accessible and affordable to all
children in the age group of 14 - 16 years covering
grades 9 and 10. Both these programmes were being
implemented by a separate stream of officials
resulting in duplication of efforts and resources.
Therefore, these two administrative structures have
been merged to enable the State to build a vibrant
and dynamic system to serve the objective of
providing quality education to all. The component of
Teacher Education shall be implemented through

50
Teachers Training Institutes under State Council of
Educational Research and Training (SCERT).

2.25 Activities under Tamil Nadu Innovation

Initiatives

2.25.1 Transformation of existing toilets into

child friendly toilets

Existing toilets in 189 schools have been

transformed into child friendly toilets by providing
hand bars / door latches at the height of child level,
painting attractive pictures on the walls of the toilets,
planting and maintaining a garden surrounding the
toilets and provision of hand washing facilities along
with a mirror, small towel, soap, dipping cup and
wash basin at the height of child level. A sum of Rs
59.00 lakh was allotted for this project.

2.25.2 Strengthening Value Education by

Establishing Story Corners in Schools

As a pilot, story corners will be established to

promote story hearing and telling habits among
children in 160 schools by which value education will
be strengthened. 555 teachers of these pilot schools
will be trained in story telling techniques.

51
Rs.121.75 lakh has been allotted for establishment of
story corners and training for teachers in storytelling.

2.26 New Initiatives in the year 2017-18

2.26.1 Establishing 3000 Smart Classrooms in
Primary and Middle Schools
As announced by the Hon‟ble Chief Minister,
smart classrooms would be established in 3000
Government primary and middle schools. Rs.60.00
crore has been allotted for this scheme and
procurement process is at advanced stages.

2.26.2 Provision of Daily Newspaper and

Childrens' Magazines

A special provision for daily newspapers and

childrens‟ magazines has been made to enrich
general knowledge and language skills of students in
all the Government schools from the year 2017-18.
All the children studying in 31,322 Government
primary and middle schools are benefitted under this
scheme.
2.26.3 Providing Special Training for Talent Test

Special training to students studying in 6 to 8

standards in Government schools who aspire to

52
appear for Tamil Nadu Rural Students Talent Search
Examination, National Means–Cum–Merit Scholarship
Examination, National Talent Search Examination
and Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana will be
provided from the next academic year. 3.75 lakh
students studying in 7,219 middle schools will be
benefitted by this scheme. The Government has
allotted Rs.2.93 crore for this purpose.

2.26.4 Mobile Book Fair in Government Schools

Mobile Book Fairs are being organised in all
Government schools in order to promote reading
skills among children and to expose students to
treasure of books outside the syllabus to enrich their
general knowledge. This is being done for the first
time with the active cooperation of book publishers
and sellers in all the Government schools on rotation
basis.
2.27 Budget
Budget allocation for Elementary Education is
Rs.13,472.61 crore for the year 2018-19

53
 3. SECONDARY AND
HIGHER SECONDARY EDUCATION
3.1 Introduction

The Government accords paramount

importance to provide secondary education to all.
Secondary education is instrumental in the
development of generic competencies in children and
lays the foundation for their social development.
Since 2011, the Government has been providing the
required budgetary support to promote quality
secondary education. The array of welfare schemes
implemented in schools in the past years testifies to
the State Government‟s unparalleled commitment
towards secondary education. Further, the
Department of School Education has been proactive
in infusion of innovations in teaching learning
processes.

3.2 Vision for Secondary Education

The State envisions an educational system

that promotes cognitive, social, emotive and physical
attributes of students on a sound value paradigm.

54
 Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan supplements the
efforts and initiatives of the Department of School
Education in achieving the objectives. By
implementing a series of schemes grounded on
quality, equity and affordability, it strives to create
enabling environment for teaching and learning in
Government schools and to enrich knowledge, values
and skills of students.

3.3. Objectives

 To ensure quality secondary / higher secondary

education to all irrespective of gender and
socio-economic barriers
 To achieve 100% retention at secondary and
higher secondary levels
 To enhance employability by incorporating the
required soft skills and vocational skills
 To create required infrastructure conducive to
joyful and effective learning in all secondary
and higher secondary schools
 To enhance the operational efficiency of
model schools and girls‟ hostels in the
Educationally Backward Blocks (EBBs) and
exhibit them as model institutions that patron
social equity and equality
 To extend free transport and need based
residential facilities for improved access

55
  To offer special care and assistance to CWSN
 To augment scholastic, co-scholastic and
extra-curricular skills of the students
 To deploy special initiatives aimed at
enhancing the performance of the students in
secondary and higher secondary examinations
 To promote inquisitiveness and scientific
temper among students by actively engaging
them in science projects, eco-clubs and project
based learning
 To spot and nurture innate athletic and sporting
abilities of students by creating opportunities at
the District, State and National levels
 To hone teaching skills of teachers by regular
in-service training
 To promote health awareness by means of
awareness campaigns and medical camps
 To extend periodic professional guidance and
counseling support to students
3.4 Upgrading of Schools to improve access

Ensuring access to secondary education is one

of the key priorities of the State. It has been the
endeavor of the Government to provide secondary
school within the radius of 5 km from habitation.
Consequently, the un-served habitations are
identified with the use of GIS and are provided

56
access by upgrading middle schools into high
schools. In order to improve access, 979 middle
schools have been upgraded from 2011-12 onwards.
Out of these 979 schools, 571 schools have been
provided required infrastructure under Rashtriya
Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and remaining
408 schools with the State funding. Similarly, 504
high schools have been upgraded to higher
secondary schools during the same period.

Upgraded Schools
High to Higher
Middle to High Schools
Academic Secondary Schools
Year With State
RMSA With State funding
funding
2011-12 158 552 100
2012-13 -- -- 100
2013-14 50 -- 100
2014-15 50 -- 101
2015-16 -- -- 1
2016-17 -- 19 --
2017-18 150 -- 102
Total 408 571 504

57
3.5 Status of Secondary and Higher
Secondary Education

The Ministry of Human Resource and

Development (MHRD) has evolved a Results
Framework Document (RFD) as the competent tool
to evaluate and monitor the progress of education.
The RFD comprises the following key performance
indicators:

3.5.1. Enrolment

The number of children enrolled in a level

(secondary, higher secondary), irrespective of age.

3.5.2. Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER)

The number of children enrolled in a level

(secondary, higher secondary), irrespective of age,
divided by the population of the age group that
officially corresponds to the same level.

3.5.3. Gender Parity Index (GPI)

GPI is calculated as the quotient of the

number of females by the number of males enrolled

58
in a given stage of education (secondary, higher
secondary etc.).
No. of Girls Enrolled
GPI 
No. of Boys Enrolled

3.5.4. Gender Equity Index (GEI)

GEI is an efficient tool to assess equity in

enrolment at a given level.
Share of Girls at enrolment in the level
GEI 
Share of Girls at age group in the level

3.5.5. Social Equity Index (SEI)

Social equity is a state of affair in which all

people within a specific society or isolated group
have the same status in certain respects including
civil rights, freedom of speech, property rights and
equal access to certain social goods and services.
SEI exposes the differences that prevail in access to
education amidst the underprivileged social sectors.

59
3.5.6. Secondary Graduation Rate (SGR)
SGR reveals the improved internal efficiency of
our education.

The table below indicates the progress of the

State with reference to key performance indicators.

3.5.7 Indicators (Secondary)

Indicator 2017-18
Enrolment 22,54,862
Enrolment – Girls 11,09,448
Enrolment – SC 5,40,280
Enrolment – ST 24,997
Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) 92.78
Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) - Girls 94.14
Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) - SC 99.89
Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) - ST 71.76
Gender Parity Index (GPI) 1.06
Gender Equity Index (GEI) 1.03
Social Equity Index - SC (SEI-SC) 1.09
Social Equity Index - ST (SEI-ST) 0.90
Secondary Graduation Rate (SGR) 98.58

60
3.5.8 Indicators (Higher Secondary)

Indicator 2017-18
Enrolment 18,10,212
Enrolment – Girls 9,58,412
Enrolment – SC 4,06,286
Enrolment – ST 16,793
Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) 74.66
Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) – Boys 68.02
Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) - Girls 81.74
Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) - SC 74.81
Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) - ST 50.83

3.5.9 Dropout Rate at the Secondary Level

The implementation of extensive student-

friendly welfare schemes in the State has contributed
to a steady decline in the dropout rate.

Dropout Rate
Academic Year Boys Girls Average
2011-12 11.07 11.34 11.21
2017-18 4.38 2.84 3.61

61
3.5.10 Retention Rate at the Secondary Level

The implementation of innovative teaching/

learning methodologies and other welfare
interventions have resulted in a substantial increase
in the retention rate.
Retention Rate
Academic Year Boys Girls Average
2011-12 88.99 88.60 88.75
2017-18 95.62 97.16 96.39

3.5.11 Transition Rate

Number of new entrants to the first grade of

the higher level of education in the following year
expressed as a percentage of the students enrolled
in the last grade of the given level of education in the
given year.
Transition Rate
Secondary Higher Secondary
Academic (8 Std. to 10 Std.) (10 Std. to 11 Std.)
Year Aver- Aver-
Boys Girls Boys Girls
age age
2017-18 95.62 97.16 96.39 77.60 88.90 83.17

62
3.5.12 Pupil Teacher Ratio (PTR)

The appointment of a large number of

teaching posts by the Government has improved the

State PTR at the secondary level to 26:1, which is far

better than the National PTR norm of 40:1. This has

helped in improving the quality of secondary

education in the State.

3.6 Quality Interventions

3.6.1 Appointment of Teaching and Non-

teaching Staff

The Government attaches high priority to

staffing of the schools by appointing adequate

number of qualified teaching and non-teaching staff.

The emerging vacancies are duly tracked and filled

up following due procedures without delay. The

persistent efforts of the Government have resulted in

the appointment of the following staff in the year

2017-18 for secondary education.

63
 Number
Sl. Mode of
Post of Posts
No. Appointment
Filled
Assistant (Direct
1 TNPSC 40
Recruitment)
2 Assistant Promotion 54
3 Junior Assistant TNPSC 203
4 Typist TNPSC 125
Graduate Teacher (Tamil
5 TRB 197
and other Subjects)
Graduate Teacher
6 TRB 8
(Minority Language)
7 Special Educator (IEDSS) TRB 59
TRB and
8 Post Graduate Teacher 1,574
Promotion

3.6.2 Training
3.6.2.1 Training of Teachers
In-service training is extended to all teachers
to further enrich their pedagogical and mentoring
skills. The training is provided in two distinct spells.
SPELL-I - The first spell focuses on subject-specific

content, such as:

 emerging trends in education
 enhancing concept clarity and aiding the
creation of indigenous concept mapping
 familiarizing with the virtual content that can
enhance their regular classroom teaching.

64
SPELL-II - The second spell focuses on:

 ICT - helping the teachers imbibe the skills of

leveraging ICT
 IEDSS – empowering them with an
understanding on the needs of the Children
With Special Needs (CWSN), the teaching
strategies to be adopted and the required
mentoring skills to facilitate a conducive
learning environment
 Gender Sensitization – sensitizing the teaching
fraternity on gender bias and to promote gender
based equality in every activity in school
In the year 2017-18, a total of 37,360
teachers were trained with a financial outlay of
Rs.1,128.90 lakh.

3.6.2.2 School Leadership Development

Programme - Training for Head
Masters

The School Leadership and Development

Programme (SLDP) is conducted every year to
promote leadership qualities among school heads. In
the year 2017-18, 250 school heads were imparted
with SLDP training, incurring an expenditure of

65
Rs.12 lakh. In addition, a special programme on
leadership and school management was organized by
National Centre for School Leadership – National
University of Educational Planning and Administration
(NCSL-NUEPA), in collaboration with Mother Theresa
Women‟s University. In all, 15 School heads were
benefitted out of this one month certificate
programme conducted in the premises of Mother
Theresa Women‟s University, Kodaikanal.

3.6.2.3 Training of Members of School

Management and Development
Committee (SMDC)

The importance of community participation in

the day to day functioning of schools can never be
undermined. Therefore, a one day training to 29,540
SMDC members was given at the block level in all
districts at the cost of Rs.88.62 lakh. Preparation of
Strategic School Improvement Plan (SSIP) for long
term goals and School Improvement Plan (SIP) for
short term goals for the betterment of their schools
was the main objective of this training programme.

66
3.6.2.4 Training for Administrative Officers

Organizing a week long training programme

for the administrative officers was an integral part of
RMSA year planner. In the year 2017-18, a five day
training programme was organized in the month of
May at Pillar Centre, Madurai. 149 State and District
level administrative officers participated in the
training programme.
The training served as an effective platform for
resourceful discussions and an opportunity for
rejuvenation. Eminent speakers across the State
addressed the participants on various topics
pertaining to education, adolescent psychology and
social parenting.
The summary of training programme is given below:
No. of
Academic
Training Persons
Year
trained
Training for Subject Teachers 37,360

Training for Head Masters 250

2017-18
Training for SMDC Members 29,540
Training for Administrative
149
Officers

67
3.6.2.5 Self-Defense Training

As an initiative towards women empowerment,

self-defense programme has been introduced under
RMSA for the girl students in 44 EBBs in 13 Districts.
Initially, the programme has been implemented in
the select 242 schools of the State that have 50%
and more Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe girl
student population. Training on Karate, Judo and
Taekwondo is given weekly twice for three months to
all girl students by well-trained lady coaches under
the supervision of school teachers. A sum of
Rs.21.78 lakh has been utilized for this programme.

3.6.3 ICT @ Schools

The Hon'ble Chief Minister has announced on

the floor of assembly under rule 110 of Tamil Nadu
Legislative Assembly Rules that Hi-Tech Labs would
be established in all 3090 Secondary and 2939
Higher Secondary Schools. The process of
establishment is at advanced stage. It is proposed to
establish labs with computers and required
peripherals such as projectors, printers, UPS, web

68
cameras etc. and internet connectivity at the cost of
Rs.462.60 crore.

3.6.4. Kala Utsav

Kala Utsav is an initiative taken under RMSA
to promote arts in education by nurturing and
showcasing the artistic talent of students at the
secondary level. Kala Utsav celebrations are
organized at School, Block, District, State and
National levels. Kala Utsav helps the students
explore, understand and showcase their living
tradition in the art forms of dance, music, theatre
and visual arts.

Sl. Name of No. of Student Participants

No. the Art District Level State Level
1 Music 1,793 171
2 Dance 2,143 196
3 Theatre Art 1,335 180
4 Visual Art 1,206 86

Teams from Tiruchirappalli, Nagapattinam and

Tiruvannamalai districts participated in the National
level competitions held at Bhopal and the students of
Nagapattinam District secured second place in

69
„Music’ at all India level. The award comprises a
silver trophy, silver medals, certificates and a cash
award of Rs.75000/-. A sum of Rs.11.00 lakh has
been utilized for this programme in the year
2017-18.

3.6.5 Talent Search @ School Level

Talent Search is an indigenous innovation of

the State aimed at fostering the exceptional
educational competencies of rural students. The
State has established 134 Talent Search centers
across the State. Special classes are held during
weekends and terminal vacations to strengthen the
academic excellence of the students.
Further, special career awareness
programmes have been integrated into the regular
stream of these centers to help children chalk out a
fitting career path in line with their skills and
competencies. A total of 10,235 students have been
benefitted out of this novel initiative. The initiative
motivated 6,573 students to appear for TRUST
examination, of which, 3387 students got selected
for TRUST Scholarship. A total of Rs.112 lakh has

70
been utilized to implement this programme in the
year 2017-18.

3.6.6 Slow Learners Achievement Programme

Slow Learners Achievement Programme

(SLAP) is a special project designed to support the
late bloomers to perform well in their board
examinations. The programme is being implemented
in the special focus districts such as Tiruvarur,
Nagapattinam, Cuddalore and Villupuram on a pilot
basis. A sum of Rs.35.16 lakh has been utilized for
this project in the year 2017-18.
3.6.7 IMPART
IMPART (IMproving PARTicipation) is another
special initiative designed to improve the
participation of students in secondary education. The
scheme is being implemented in the special focus
districts viz. Cuddalore, Kanchipuram,
Nagappattinam, The Nilgiris, Perambalur, Tiruvarur
and Villupuram. It motivates the students to prepare
indigenous projects with a view to enhancing their
learning experience. The best projects of the
students are duly awarded in the District Level

71
Science Exhibition. A sum of Rs.32.20 lakh has been
utilized towards implementation in the year 2017-18.

3.6.8 School Standardization and Evaluation

School standardization and evaluation is a

positive tool that enables all schools to continuously
engage themselves in self-improvement based on
the core standards proposed by NUEPA. In 2017-18,
a State Level workshop on school standard and
evaluation was conducted for the district level
functionaries of RMSA. As a follow-up activity, district
level orientation programmes were conducted for the
headmasters of 5908 high and higher secondary
schools at the district headquarters to create
awareness towards the effective implementation of
the programme in schools. A sum of Rs.32.20 lakh
has been utilized for this programme in 2017-18.

3.6.9 Vocational Education

RMSA provides for skill based training to

students in secondary/ higher secondary education
under „Vocational Education‟ component. An amount
of Rs. 383.72 lakh has been earmarked. In 2017-18,

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67 higher secondary schools have been selected for the
implementation of this programme. One day orientation
programme for headmasters and teachers of the
selected 67 Schools was conducted on 29.01.2018. An
extensive implementation plan has been laid out and
the process of implementation is underway.

3.6.10 Science Exhibition

The Government has been proactive in taking

up activities that promote scientific temper in
students. Science exhibition spreads out the canvas
needed for the students to exhibit their quest for
science, innovation and creativity. The exhibitions
are conducted at school, educational district,
revenue district and state level. In 2017-18, the
State level science exhibition with the theme
“Innovations for Sustainable Development” was held
in Karur district. The best exhibits selected at the
State level were exhibited in the Southern India
Science Fair held in Telangana. Similarly, the best
exhibits at Southern India level are permitted to be
exhibited at the national level Science Exhibition to
be held in New Delhi.

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3.6.11 Atal Tinkering Labs

The basic objective of this scheme is to

inculcate in students skills such as computational
thinking, adaptive learning and physical computing
with the use of do-it-yourself kit, 3D printers,
electronic tools and prototyping equipment. 44 Atal
Tinkering labs will be set up in high and higher
secondary schools in 44 EBBs of Tamil Nadu with
funding under innovative component under RMSA.

3.6.12 ‘Thoduvanam’

412 competitive examination coaching centres

have been established at the rate of one centre for
each block spread across all over Tamil Nadu for the
benefit of the students studying in Government and
Government aided schools. These centres are
equipped with ICT infrastructure comprising
computers, VSAT Dish Antenna and LCD projectors
with UPS facility. The students are being extended
intensive coaching on weekends and school holidays
with modules prepared by the experts. The
Department of School Education has tied up with a
few organizations such as SPEED Trust, Chaitanya

74
Group of Institutions and ALLEN which have come
forward on voluntary basis, for capacity building of
teachers and preparing students to face any
competitive examination. The students have also
been provided with study material in Tamil as well as
English, laptops with digital content and other
supplementary assistance.

3.6.13 Foreign Educational Tour

A team of 25 best performing students from

Government and Government aided schools each
from the fields of science, technology, arts and
literature would be selected for an educational tour
outside the country. The teams would visit
educational institutions, museums, libraries, science
labs and also interact with scholars, teachers and
students of the visiting countries. The teams would
be escorted by teachers and officials. In 2017-18, a
sum of Rs.3.00 crore has been sanctioned by the
Government towards this innovative scheme.

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3.6.14 Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Award

„Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Award‟ is, a newly

instituted award, bestowed upon students studying
in 10 and 12 standards in Tamil medium in
Government and Government aided schools. The
awardees are chosen based on their performance in
the board examinations and in the field of fine arts,
sports, science, co-curricular and extra-curricular
activities. In the year 2017-18, 15 students each
from standards 10 and 12 per district have been
chosen from 32 districts for the award. On the whole,
960 students will be awarded „Perunthalaivar
Kamarajar Award‟ incurring a total expenditure of
Rs.145.30 lakh.

3.6.15 ‘Kanavu Asiriyar Award’

„Kanavu Asiriyar Award‟ has been newly

instituted for rewarding teachers of Government
schools. This award is bestowed to encourage the
teachers who handle their classes using ICT
solutions, promote co-curricular and extra-curricular
activities, collaborate with the community members
of their locality for the betterment of schools and

76
increase student enrolment in schools. 192 teachers
would be selected for this award that includes a cash
prize of Rs.10,000 along with a certificate of
appreciation.

3.6.16 Puthumai Palli Award

„Puthumai Palli Award‟ will be given to the

school as an institution that promotes student
enrolment, implements innovative teaching
methodology, fulfills the prescribed infrastructure
requirement and works collaboratively with the SMC
and with the public for the betterment of school.
Four Government schools from each district, one
each from elementary, middle, high and higher
secondary schools would be selected for this award.
Primary and middle schools would be awarded with a
cash prize of rupees one lakh and secondary and
higher secondary schools with a cash prize of rupees
two lakh. On the whole, 128 schools will be selected
for this award. This award money will be utilized for
further strengthening of their efforts to make the
school a model school. The total financial outlay was
Rs.192 lakh in the year 2017-18 for this purpose.

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3.6.17 Exposure Visit

Exposure visit, an initiative under RMSA,

provides students an engaging learning experience
and exposes them to different culture, values and
systems. In the year 2017-18, 6,700 students from
67 educational districts visited Vikram Sarabhai
Space Research Centre at Thumba, Kerala. The visit
helped them in learning space science, reinforced by
sensory and intellectual inputs. Further, the trip
provided the students with an exposure to the
culture and tradition of our neighbouring States. The
expenditure incurred on this venture was Rs.134 lakh
for the year 2017-18.
3.6.18 Revamping of Higher Secondary Board
Examination
In order to improve the learning experience of
students to face any competitive examination, the
Government has revamped the higher secondary
board examination pattern from the academic year
2017-18 as detailed below;
 Introduction of board examination for the
students of standard 11

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  Equal weightage of marks for the board
examinations of both standards 11 and 12
with an aggregate of 1200 marks
 Students, failing in a particular subject/
subjects in standard 11 can reappear in the
immediate examination conducted in the
month of June/July or along with the papers of
standard 12
 An internal assessment carrying 10 marks has
been introduced in all subjects
 Duration of examination has been reduced
from 3 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes
 Issuance of consolidated mark sheets for
standards 11 and 12

3.6.19 Moral Value Education

Moral value education at school level is being
enriched by the incorporation of 1,050 Thirukkural
verses from two major divisions of Thirukkural,
namely „Arathuppal‟ and „Porutpal‟ in the new syllabi
for standards 6 to 12. The students of these classes
will gain a comprehensive understanding of the

79
ethical values, as inscribed in Thirukkural, through
learning 150 Thirukkural couplets in each class.

3.7 Infrastructure

The infrastructure facilities such as additional

classrooms, furniture, laboratories, libraries, toilets,
drinking water facilities and compound wall are
provided by the Government to the needy
Government schools with the financial assistance
from National Bank for Agricultural and Rural
Development (NABARD) and RMSA.

3.7.1 Civil Works under RMSA

Strengthening the existing Government schools in
terms of infrastructure is one of the primary components
of RMSA. The ultimate purpose is to provide all the
Government secondary schools with the core facilities.
The following table shows the current position of civil
works carried out under RMSA.
Sl. Expenditure
Component Number
No. (Rs in crore)

1 New schools (2016-17) 19 24.85

2 Strengthening (2016-17) 54 45.34

3 Strengthening (2017-18) 36 39.01

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3.7.2 Civil works under NABARD

Civil works for upgraded high and higher

secondary schools are also carried out with NABARD
assistance. The phase-wise details of infrastructural
projects carried out through NABARD assistance are
given below:
Civil Works with NABARD Assistance
Sl. No. of Amount
Tranche & Project No. and Year
No. works (Rs. in lakh)
1 RIDF XVIII (Phase XI) (2012-13) 131 16,401.55
2 RIDF XIX (Phase XII) (2014-15) 210 24,930.60
3 RIDF XX (Phase XIII) (2014-15) 155 20,870.97
4 RIDF XX (Phase XIII) T&DW 416 4,157.96
(2015-16)
5 RIDF XXI (Phase XIV) (2015-16) 228 35,557.27
6 RIDF XXII (Phase XV) (2016-17) 149 24,000.19

Total 1,289 1,25,918.54

3.8 Social Equity Interventions

3.8.1. Model Schools

Under RMSA, 44 Model Schools have been

established in the 44 EBBs to improve access to and
ensure quality in secondary education. The schools

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host exemplary infrastructure that includes spacious
classrooms, science laboratory, conference hall,
library room, separate toilet facility for boys and
girls, bio-digestive toilet unit and protected drinking
water. These model schools have emerged as the
top-performing schools creating heavy demands for
admission every year. Each model school
accommodates 560 children and has 17 teaching and
7 non-teaching staff. A total of 10,190 boys and
9,014 girls with a cumulative strength of 19,204
students are studying in these 44 model schools in
the year 2017-18.

3.8.2 National Means-Cum-Merit Scholarship

Scheme

National Means-Cum-Merit Scholarship

Scheme (NMMS) is a flagship programme of the
Government of India to award scholarships to
meritorious students of economically weaker sections
to encourage them to continue the study at
secondary stage of education. Students passing out
of standard 8 from Government and Government
aided schools with minimum 55% marks are eligible

82
for a written examination conducted by the State
Government to get scholarship. The selected
students get Rs.6,000 per annum for four years from
standards 9 to 12. The scholarship is disbursed
directly into the bank account of students on
quarterly basis. In the year 2017-18, a total of 6,247
students have appeared for NMMS examination.

3.8.3 National Scheme of Incentives to Girls

National Scheme of Incentives to Girls is a

centrally sponsored scheme, implemented since
2008-09, to promote retention of girls in secondary
education. Girl students, studying in standard 9 in
Government and Government aided schools, are
eligible for this incentive scheme. A sum of Rs.3,000
is deposited in the name of the eligible girls as fixed
deposit. The girls are entitled to withdraw the sum
along with interest thereon on reaching 18 years of
age and on passing standard 12 board examinations.
In the year 2017-18, 82,378 applications from the
State have been uploaded in the National Scholarship
Portal.

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3.8.4 Girls’ Hostel

Under RMSA, Girls‟ Hostels (100-bedded

facility) were established in each of the 44 EBBs to
arrest the marked disparity between boys‟ and girls‟
education at the secondary stage. Girl students
between the age group of 14 and 18 years,
studying in standards 9 to 12, belonging primarily
to scheduled caste, scheduled tribes, other
backward classes, minority communities and BPL
families form the target group of the scheme.
Students passing out of KGBV are given preference
for admission in these hostels. In 2017-18, 3,950
girls were benefitted through these 44 girls‟ hostels.
The total financial outlay for the scheme is
Rs.891.88 lakh. Community wise beneficiary details
are listed below:

No. of girls enrolled Girls

Girls Enrolled
Hostel All SC ST Muslim Christian CWSN from
KGBVs
44 3,950 1,055 500 10 15 35 687

% 26.71 12.66 0.25 0.38 0.89 17.39

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3.8.5 Inclusive Education for Disabled at
Secondary Stage

The Scheme of Inclusive Education for

Disabled at Secondary Stage (IEDSS) covers all
children studying in standards 9 to 12 in
Government, Government-aided and local body
schools with one or more disabilities as defined
under the Persons with Disabilities Act (1995) and
the National Trust Act (1999). The following facilities
are extended to improve the participation of CWSN in
secondary schools.
 Appointment of Special Educators
 Stipend to the CWSN girl students
 Medical Camps
 Orientation and Environment Building
Programmes
 Provision of Aids and Assistive devices
 Escort and transport allowance
 Provision of Helper
 Reader allowance
 Inimitable resource rooms for the CWSN

85
 A total of 6,972 CWSN girl students were
given stipend in the year 2017-18 involving a sum
of Rs.139.44 lakh. Overall, 14,469 CWSN students
were benefitted out of the above mentioned
activities with an expenditure of Rs.1181.53 lakh in
the year 2017-18. Disability-wise beneficiary details
are given below:

Disability Type Boys Girls Total

Blindness 443 367 810
Low Vision 1,402 1,642 3,044
Hearing Impairment 1,184 1,112 2,296
Locomotors Disability 1,888 1,430 3,318
Mental Retardation 2,111 1,351 3,462
Multiple Disability 177 203 380
Autism 22 16 38
Cerebral Palsy 189 147 336
Speech Impairment 509 276 785
Grand Total 7,925 6,544 14,469
% 54.77 45.23

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3.9 Co-scholastic Activities
3.9.1 State/ National level Sports Competitions

The Republic Day and Bharathiyar Day games

competitions are conducted by the School Education
Department every year in 26 sports disciplines for
students from standards 6 to 12 in the age group of
11 to 17 years. Under the aegis of School Games
Federation of India, national level competitions are
conducted every year in various sports disciplines. In
the year 2017-18, Tamil Nadu secured 6th place in
the overall ranking with the tally of 77 Gold,
58 Silver and 69 Bronze medals at the national level
competitions. The Government sanctions a sum of
Rs.10 crore every year as recurring grant for the
conduct of competitions at various levels.

3.9.2 Chess Game

Tamil Nadu has been the vanguard of chess

development in India. The game has been introduced
in Government schools primarily enhance the
reasoning ability of the students. The chess
competitions are conducted in different categories for

87
the age group between 7 and 17 from the school
level to the State level. In the year 2017-18,
24 students emerged as winners at the State level
chess competitions. The Government has sanctioned
a sum of Rs.22 lakh to meet out the expenses of
conducting these competitions at various levels in
2017-18.

3.9.3 Yoga

Yoga encourages union of mind, body and

spirit, which ultimately helps in channelizing the
energy of children towards improving learning
outcomes. Yoga has become an integral part of
sports activities for school children. Yoga has been
introduced as a voluntary physical exercise from the
academic year 2017-18.

3.9.4 National Service Scheme

National Service Scheme (NSS) aims at

personality development of students through
community services like assisting in health camps,
blood donation camps and awareness programmes.
There are 97,650 student volunteers on roll in

88
1,953 units of higher secondary schools in Tamil
Nadu. A grant of Rs.244 lakh towards regular
activities and Rs.219 lakh towards the conduct of
special camps are sanctioned under this scheme
every year. In 2017-18, one day refresher training
was conducted for the 1,953 officials at regional
level.

3.9.5 Scouts and Guides

The Scouts and Guides movement is functional

in all high and higher secondary schools in Tamil
Nadu. Cleaning places of importance, archaeological
monuments, planting trees, spreading awareness on
general health and hygiene, regulating traffic and
first aid are some of the important activities. A grant
of Rs.7.00 lakh is allotted by the Government every
year towards the payment of salary to the employees
and maintenance of Tamil Nadu Bharat Scouts and
Guides Headquarters. Rajya Purashkar Award is
presented by Hon‟ble Governor of Tamil Nadu to
outstanding Scouts and Guides. An amount of
Rs.5 lakh is allotted every year by the Government
for this purpose.

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3.9.6 Junior Red Cross Society

Junior Red Cross (JRC) units are functioning in

all high and higher secondary schools in Tamil Nadu.
There are 6,397 JRC units with 3,19,850 student-
members. The District Collector is the patron of the
Junior Red Cross Society. Teachers are trained as
counselors and devoted students act as volunteers.
This programme helps in honing the potential of
children in kind acts besides imbibing humanitarian
values.

3.9.7 Kalai Thiruvizha

The State is home to versatile and indigenous

art forms that are at the verge of extinction due to
lack of patronage. The State envisages a resurgence
of the divergent art forms of the State in the form of
„Kalai Thiruvizha‟ - a celebration of art forms for
school students. This noble venture provides an
extensive canvas for the students to paint their
innate talents and distinct artistic skills. Competitions
are held from standards 1 to 12 under primary,
upper primary, secondary and higher secondary

90
categories. The Government has set aside a sum of
Rs.4 crore for the conduct of competitions at the
school, block, educational district and revenue
district levels. The State level competition will be
held after completion of public examinations for
standards 10, 11 and 12 in the year 2018.

3.9.8 Eco–Club

The aim of Eco–Club is to create

environmental awareness among students. Eco-clubs
have been started in 11,460 Schools. A sum of
Rs.5,000 is sanctioned to each school every year
through the Department of Environment and Forest
for maintaining Eco-clubs. Eco–Clubs are involved in
planting trees, gardening and other related activities.

3.10 Guidance and Counseling

3.10.1 Mobile Counseling Centres for Students

Guidance and counseling are essential

components of services rendered to students to help
them face the multifarious challenges that adversely
impact their academic achievement during early
adolescence. In order to fulfill this compelling

91
psychological need, the 32 districts of the State have
been divided into 17 zones and 17 fully equipped
mobile counseling vans have been deployed to cover
the schools. The mobile counseling vans are provided
with modern equipments like televisions and other
digital tools. A total of 2,16,592 students from 1240
schools across the State have been provided with
psychological counseling in the academic year 2017-18.
Type Boys Girls Total
Group Counseling 99,160 1,05,696 2,04,856
Individual Counseling 5,672 6,064 11,736
Total 1,04,832 1,11,760 2,16,592

3.10.2 Toll Free Helpline - 14417

A 24x7 toll free helpline has been made

functional on 01.03.2018. This is a pioneering
initiative of the Government. It is the, first-of-its-
kind, one-stop solution for students, teachers and
parents across the State, especially for those in rural
and tribal areas for disseminating useful information
on the welfare schemes for school students, for
providing clarity related to syllabus and examination
and mentoring the students by providing career

92
guidance and psychological counseling. A financial
outlay of Rs.1.98 crore has been provided for the
project in the year 2017-18.

3.11 Other Schemes

3.11.1 Parent–Teacher Association
Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) connects the
school to the communities they serve. PTA is also
helpful in mobilizing the required resources for
effective functioning of the school. Further, State
level PTA provides a platform for the students to
exhibit their artistic skills in their bi-monthly news
bulletin and works for the welfare of student
community.

3.11.2 Educational Loan Camps for Higher

Education

The Government has been providing free

schooling up to higher secondary. But, post
schooling, the students from weaker economic
sections struggle to continue their higher education.
Hence, the Government has decided to conduct
educational loan camps at the district level in
collaboration with the Nationalized Banks. Plans are

93
underway to extend these camps at the block level in
the year 2018-19. The deserving students may
apply for educational loan online via the exclusive
website hosted by the MHRD, i.e.,
https://www.vidyalakshmi.co.in. A District level
committee comprising, the District Collector, Project
Officer of District Rural Development Agency, Chief
Educational Officer, Lead Bank Manager, Principals of
Engineering Colleges, Principals of Medical and Arts
and Science Colleges has been constituted to aid the
speedy disbursal of loan to the applicants.

3.11.3 Abolition of Ranking System

Ranking system weighed heavily on the

psychology of the students. The students were under
undue pressure to achieve ranks. Realizing the need,
the Government has abolished the ranking system in
standards 10 and 12 board examinations from the
year 2017 -18. This decision of the Government has
been well appreciated by the parents, students and
educationists. It has also avoided unhealthy
competition among the educational institutions.

94
3.11.4 Incinerators and Cupboards

Menstrual hygiene of adolescent girl students

has been of prime concern to the Government. The
Government has decided to provide all the
Government middle, high and higher secondary girls
schools with electric incinerators, an environment-
friendly alternative for used napkin disposal. In
2017-18, a sum of Rs.1124.11 lakh has been
sanctioned for setting up these electric incinerators
in 3,334 girls‟ schools. In addition to incinerators,
cupboard facility to store toiletries including napkins
will also be erected in these schools at a cost of
Rs.64.01 lakh. On the whole, a total financial outlay
of Rs.11.88 crore has been sanctioned for the setting
up of electric incinerators and cupboards facilities.

3.11.5 Leveraging Corporate Social

Responsibility Fund

The Government and the Confederation of

Indian Industry (CII) have joined together to bring
about a transformation in the School Education
System. A joint task force has been constituted to
promote and streamline activities under Corporate

95
Social Responsibility (CSR). Framing of general
guidelines to mobilize CSR is underway. The
Department of School Education has been
encouraging contribution under CSR in any form and
many such activities have been initiated in schools.

3.11.6 Examination Based Counseling for

Students Leveraging Social Media

Fear of examination is a major factor that

curbs the academic performance of students. The
School Education Department, in collaboration with
THE LEDE foundation on voluntary basis, initiated
social media campaign for educating students. The
campaign helped the students overcome undue
stress, fear and psychological depression. The
campaign was supported by professional counseling
experts, individual as well as Non-Governmental
Organisations. The Government arranged an
exclusive WhatsApp number, a Facebook page, a
Twitter Handle and a mail Id to help the students
make the best out of this campaign.

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3.12 Initiatives under TANII

Under Tamil Nadu Innovative Initiatives

(TANII), the following initiatives have been
implemented in the State.
Bio-digester Toilets have been set up in all
44 model schools at a total cost of Rs.55.06 lakh to
resolve the problem of disposal of human waste by
converting it into usable water and gases in an
eco-friendly process. Every year, a sum of
Rs. 7,000/- is allocated towards the yearly
maintenance of each of these 44 bio-digest toilet
units.
Incinerators have been established in 100
select Government girls high and higher secondary
schools. The scheme has been implemented with a
financial outlay of Rs.46.60 lakh to ensure a healthy
and hygienic learning environment for girl students.
3.13 New Educational District
In order to have efficient administration a new
educational district was formed with Harur as
Headquarters by bifurcating the existing Dharmapuri
Educational District. Harur Educational district is

97
functioning with 117 Government schools and the
remaining 170 Government schools would remain
with Dharmapuri Educational District.
3.14 Restructuring of Administrative Setup
In order to make regular inspection and
supervision of schools effectively, the administrative
setup at field level has been restructured with due
delegation of power. In the restructured setup, the
Chief Educational Officers shall administer all kinds of
schools in a Revenue District; the District Educational
Officers shall manage the affairs of all schools in
Educational Districts and Block Educational Officers
shall monitor / regulate all schools within the
territory assigned. Thus, a three tier administrative
system has been put in place.
3.15 Administration
1.23 crore students are studying in 58,474
schools functioning in School Education Department.
5.74 lakh teachers are engaged in teaching. All kinds
of school in School Education Department are
administered efficiently at District level by
32 Chief Educational Officers, 120 District

98
Educational Officers and 836 Block Educational
Officers.
3.16 Budget
Budget allocation for the Secondary and
Higher Secondary Education is Rs.13,164.33 crore
for the year 2018-19.

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 4. MATRICULATION SCHOOLS
4.1 Introduction

Matriculation Schools join hands with the

Government in imparting education in English
medium. In the beginning, these schools were
administered by the University of Madras and
University of Madurai. These schools were
autonomous with regard to their existence,
administration and finance. In the year 1978, these
schools were brought under the administrative
control of the Directorate of School Education.
Further, in 2001, it was felt essential to create a
separate Directorate to provide focused
administration of matriculation schools. Hence, a new
Directorate namely Directorate of Matriculation
Schools was formed in the year 2001.
The prime role of this Directorate is to monitor
the administration of matriculation schools and to
grant recognition to the schools that meet the
regulations and conditions prescribed by the
Government. There are 38.80 lakh children in these
schools.

100
4.2 Vision

The vision of the Directorate of Matriculation

Schools is to ensure quality education in safe
learning environment in all matriculation schools.

4.3. Objectives

 To grant permission to open new matriculation

school
 To grant recognition to the schools that fulfill
the norms prescribed by the Government
from time to time
 To ensure the availability of adequate and safe
infrastructure
 To ensure the safety of school children in
these schools
 To act as State Nodal Agency for the
implementation of the RTE Act, 2009
 To ensure appointment of qualified teachers as
per norms notified by the Government
 To implement Continuous and Comprehensive
Evaluation (CCE) in all schools for ensuring
overall development of the children

101
4.4. Administrative Responsibilities

4.4.1. Recognition and Permission

Permission to open new schools and

recognition of schools are done by the Directorate
after ensuring compliance to norms as prescribed by
the Government. Upgrading of the matriculation
schools into matriculation higher secondary schools
is also done after ensuring the compliance of
stipulated norms as prescribed by the Government.
Renewal of recognition is being ordered for a
maximum period of 3 years and it is being renewed
before the expiry.
During the year 2017-18, 54 new
matriculation schools were accorded permission to
open and 98 schools were accorded permission to
upgrade the existing school to matriculation higher
secondary school.

4.4.2 Right of Children to Free and

Compulsory Education Act, 2009 –
Implementation

Section 12 (1) (c) of the Right of Children to

Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009

102
mandates 25% reservation in admission for the
children belonging to disadvantaged groups and
weaker sections in all the self-financing schools in
entry level class.
The State Government has so far sanctioned
Rs.401.98 crore for reimbursement of fee to the
private schools for the children admitted under this
provision for the period from 2013-14 to 2016-17.
During the academic year 2017-18, 90,607
children have been admitted under this provision.
Category wise number of children admitted is given
below:
S.No. Category No. of
children
admitted
1. Disadvantaged group 18275
2. Weaker section 71905
3. Orphan 39
4. HIV 7
5. Child of scavenger 118
6. CWSN 263
7. Total 90607

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 The Government has issued elaborate
guidelines to apply for admission in private schools
under 25% reservation under section 12 (1) (c) of
the RTE Act, 2009. In order to ensure transparency
in the admission process, online application for
admission has been introduced. This facility will
enable any person to apply online for admission and
the private schools would be under obligation to
grant admission, if eligible. If the eligible applications
are more than the intake capacity of a school,
random selection method is adopted. Selection of the
candidate is done in the presence of an officer
deputed by the Chief Educational Officer of the
District concerned. Valid applications received from
children, who are orphan, affected with HIV,
transgender, child of scavenger and CWSN are given
priority and admitted before starting random
selection process. Arrangements have also been
made to apply online from District and Block level
Educational Offices free of cost. This initiative has
not only introduced transparency in the admission

104
process but also reduced the work load of the
officials in monitoring the admission process.

4.5 Special Initiatives

4.5.1 Online Processing of Application for
Recognition

It was felt that the process of applying for

permission/ recognition and renewal of recognition
was cumbersome and time consuming. Moreover,
there was no monitoring of such cases as there was
hardly any authentic data for holding field officials
accountable for processes. Hence, the process has
been made on-line.
Under this initiative, the school management
can apply online for opening of new school, initial
recognition, renewal of recognition, permission to
start additional standard, upgradation as
matriculation higher secondary school. The request
will be transferred to the field officials concerned. He
will then make a field visit to the school and forward
the request to the Director of Matriculation Schools
with recommendation for orders. The Director of
Matriculation Schools will, after consideration of all

105
the facts and recommendations, issue necessary
orders in consonance with the request. Through this
initiative, this Directorate has committed to provide
hassle free public service at the doorstep of the
stakeholders. The Government has sanctioned a sum
of Rs.10 lakh for this initiative.

4.5.2 In service training to Matriculation

School Teachers

The Government has, for the first time,

introduced in-service training programme for the
teachers working in matriculation schools through
the State Council for Education Research and
Training. The training modules have been prepared
in the following fields:
 Child psychology
 Student teacher relationship
 Specific learning disability and remedy
 Leveraging ICT in education
 Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation
 To create the school environment safe for
adolescence

106
  Punishments and their effects and the need to
avoid them.
 Skill based evaluation
 New methodology in evaluation
 11 standard syllabus and public examination
 To prepare the students for competitive
examinations
 Career guidance
This initiative shall provide an opportunity to
teachers in private school in capacity building and in
enhancing their skills required for continuous
professional development.

4.5.3 Issue of Bus pass

The Government has been issuing bus passes

to the school children to commute to school without
any difficulty. The concession of issuing cost free bus
passes has been extended to the students studying
in matriculation schools also. During this academic
year, 3,32,132 students have availed this facility.

107
4.6. Private Schools Fee Determination
Committee
The Tamil Nadu Schools (Regulation of
Collection of Fees) Act, 2009 has been enacted to
regulate the collection of fees and to curtail excess
fees collection and donation by the private self
financing schools. The process of fixing fee for nearly
10,200 schools for 3 years from the year 2017-18 is
under progress. So far, the Fee Committee has
determined fee for 6,500 schools. The remaining
schools have been called upon to submit records for
determination of reasonable fees for the academic
years 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21. Further, the
Fee Committee has also been actively involved in
disposing off petitions with regard to collection of
excess fees. Orders have been issued to refund a
sum of Rs.63,86,290/- to students, which was
collected in excess of the fee fixed by the committee
by a particular school.

4.7 Regulations of Private Schools

Private Schools in the State are governed by
various Acts, Rules and Code of Regulations such as
Tamil Nadu Recognized Private Schools (Regulation)

108
Act, 1973, Tamil Nadu Recognized Private Schools
(Regulation) Rules, 1974, Code of Regulations for
Matriculation Schools and Code of Regulations for
Approved Nursery and Primary Schools, etc.

Pursuant to the enactment of The Tamil Nadu

Uniform System of School Education Act, 2010, all
the private schools have been brought under the
State Common Board of School Education. Therefore,
a Comprehensive Act has to be formulated to
regulate all the private schools affiliated with the
State Common Board of School Education. A
Committee headed by former Vice Chancellor of
Madurai Kamarajar University has been constituted
by the Government to formulate a Comprehensive
Act and Rules for this purpose.

4.8 Budget
A sum of Rs.208.23 crore has been allotted
to this Directorate for the financial year 2018-19.
The Directorate has been actively involved in
achieving quality education in safe learning
environment for the children and ensuring adequate
infrastructure facilities in matriculation schools.

109
 5. GOVERNMENT EXAMINATIONS
5.1 Introduction

The Directorate of Government Examinations

has been entrusted with the huge responsibility of
conducting the State Board examinations for the
students studying in the standards 10, 11 and 12.
Apart from these three core exams, this Directorate
is also conducting 32 exams of various kinds and
issuing certificates to the students for the same. The
mark certificates issued to the students of standards
10, 11 and 12 are vital and valued documents for
continuing higher education and for seeking job
opportunities.
The Directorate of Government Examinations
has come into existence in the year 1975 and since
then, a lot of innovative measures have been taken
to enhance the standard of conducting the
examinations. The need and necessity of introducing
digital technology was realized by this Directorate
and several measures have been taken to introduce
the technology in the examination process in order to
reduce delay and improve accuracy.

110
5.2 Vision

To simplify the procedure in conducting the

examinations and expedite the process of declaration
of results by leveraging ICT.

5.3 Objectives

 To conduct all the examinations in a free and

fair manner
 To carry out reformative measures in the
process of conduct of examinations
 To strengthen the evaluation pattern
 To declare results in time
 To issue and authenticate the certificates to
the candidates

5.4 Organizational Structure

The Directorate of Government Examinations

is primarily responsible for conduct of around 35
examinations of various kinds. In the year 2017-18,
27,31,217 students have appeared for both
Secondary School Leaving Certificates (SSLC) and
Higher Secondary Board Examinations (First and
Second Year). All the examinations have been

111
conducted within the time schedule in free and fair
manner. The Directorate is supported by 7 Regional
Offices in dispatching of stationeries to the
examination centres, sanctioning the expenditures
for the conduct of the examinations and in
dispatching the certificates to the candidates after
the publications of results.

5.5 Online Services

In order to facilitate the student community in

accessing the required information, a web portal
www.dge.tn.gov.in has been created by this
Directorate. This portal contains information on
examinations conducted, time table, format of
application forms, the fees structures, procedure for
obtaining duplicate mark certificate, migration
certificate, certified copy of mark certificate (CCM),
model question papers of previous examinations and
the examination instructions for the private
th
candidates appearing for the 10 science practical
examinations.
This has considerably reduced the hardships of
the candidates appearing for the examinations.

112
Online application for examination has also been
provided on the portal to collect the nominal roll
particulars of candidates appearing for the
examination through schools as well as private
stream. In addition, a new facility for online payment
of examination fee through State Bank of India has
also been enabled in the year 2017-18. The system
of distribution of hall tickets to the candidates
appearing for the examinations through the Hall
Ticket Distribution Centers has been dispensed with.
Now, the schools have been enabled to download the
hall tickets in respect of the students appearing
through their schools and the private candidates can
straight away download the hall tickets from the
portal.
The candidates can also download their
provisional mark certificates through the Directorate
of Government Examinations website
(www.dge.tn.nic.in). The provisional mark
certificates are valid for a period of 90 days from the
date of publications of results and these can be used
for seeking admission for higher studies.

113
5.6 Exemption of Examination Fee for Tamil
Medium Candidates

All the candidates appearing for the SSLC and

Higher Secondary Board Examinations in Tamil
medium are exempted from paying examination
fees. As a result, 5,55,621 students for SSLC Board
Examinations and 10,46,741 students for Higher
Secondary Board Examinations were exempted from
examination fees in March, 2018.

5.7 Concessions Granted to Children with

Special Needs candidates

Candidates with dyslexia, visual impairment,

hearing impairment and other physical challenges,
who appear for SSLC and Higher Secondary Board
Examinations, are granted extra time for all the
subjects. In addition, they are also allowed to
appoint a scribe/ exempted from appearing in
anyone of the language/ permitted to use calculators
depending on the type of special needs. In March,
2018 examinations, 4,635 CWSN appeared for
Higher Secondary Board Examinations and 3,659
CWSN appeared for SSLC Board Examinations.

114
5.8 Government Examination Service Centres

The Private candidates, who desired to apply

for examinations, were facing a lot of difficulties as
they were not well aware of the procedures to be
followed. Therefore, the Directorate has created
213 Examinations Service Centres across the State
within the school premises for offering guidance.

5.9 Examination Centres in Prisons

In order to promote the educational pursuit of

the inmates in prisons, the Directorate has permitted
examination centres in the premises of the prisons
itself. In March 2018, 165 prisoners appeared for
11 and 12 Board examination in Puzhal Central
Prison. For the SSLC Board Examination, March
2018, three more centres have been created for the
benefit of 186 prisoners in Palayamkottai,
Tiruchirapalli, Coimbatore, and Puzhal Central Prison.

5.10 Free and Fair Conduct of Examinations

A secured system of transporting answer script

bundles through a special vehicle from the
examination centers and to handover at the

115
collection points has been adopted. This system has
ensured safe transportation of answer scripts in time.
During the conduct of Board examinations, it
becomes an absolute necessity to oversee the
arrangements to ensure free and fair conduct of
examination. Hence, an examination control room is
opened in the Directorate of Government
Examinations, which functions during the period of
examination from 8.00 A.M. to 8.00 P.M. The
remedial measures are taken then and there on the
basis of complaints.

5.11 Conduct of June / July Special

Supplementary Examinations

In order to facilitate the candidates, who failed

in the public examinations conducted in March, to
pursue their higher studies in the same academic
year, special supplementary examinations are
conducted in the month of June / July every year for
the 10th and 12th candidates. The system has
prevented the dropouts, who failed in the
examinations due to various reasons.

116
5.12. Special Features of the Answer Scripts

In order to prevent impersonation by the

candidates in the examination hall, every candidate
appearing for the examinations is provided an
answer sheet which contains the photograph of the
candidate. This enables the hall supervisor and any
other examination functionaries to identify the
candidate. This part of the top sheet, which contains
candidate‟s identity, is detached in the examination
centre itself and remaining part with bar coded
information alone is sent for evaluation. The
valuation centres are provided with Barcode Readers
to capture the dummy numbers of answer scripts
and to carry out the valuation of answer scripts.
Even the OMR sheets are provided with photograph
of the candidates, who appear for National Talent
Search, National Means cum Merit Scholarship and
Tamil Nadu Rural Students Talent Search
Examination scholarship examinations.
The main answer booklets issued to the
candidates are customized to the requirement of
specific subjects. The forms, graphs and maps, which

117
are part of questions to be answered by the
candidates, are merged with the answer sheets itself.

5.13 Uploading of Scanned Answer Scripts for

Revaluation

After the publication of results, lots of requests

are received from the candidates for re-totaling of
marks / revaluation of answer scripts particularly
from the candidates who appeared for the higher
secondary examinations because a loss of even a
single mark will alter the fate of candidates who
aspire for obtaining a seat in medical or engineering
or other professional courses. Therefore, in order to
address the concerns of the candidates, it was
decided to scan the answer scripts and upload them
on the website. This will help students in putting
forth their genuine demands to this Directorate by
way of either to request for re-totaling of marks or
for revaluation of answer scripts.

5.14 Publication of Results of Board

Examinations

In order to reduce the anxiety of the students

to know the results, the publication of results is done

118
on three websites viz., www.dge1.tn.nic.in.,
www.dge2.tn.nic.in., www.tnresults.nic.in. The
results for Higher Secondary and SSLC Board
Examinations held in March 2017 were
communicated to 18,49,850 candidates through
Short Message Service (SMS) on their mobile
numbers registered at the time of enrollment. This
new initiative was well appreciated by the parents
and students. The results of Higher Secondary and
SSLC Board Examinations were used to be
disseminated to the respective schools by providing a
printed copy of Tabulated Mark List (TML) for all the
candidates till last year and this process used to take
lot of time. From March, 2018 onwards, an online
facility to the respective schools to download TML
has been created instead of providing a printed copy
from this Directorate.

5.15 Mark Certificates

The mark certificates issued to the candidates

contain the name of the candidates and subjects in
Tamil also. As the candidates are issued mark
certificates for each and every appearance till they

119
complete the examinations and the candidates have
to keep in their possessions all such certificates.
Therefore, a provision has been made for such
candidates to issue a consolidated mark certificates,
which contains all the passing details. Duplicate copy
of mark certificates and certified copy of mark
certificates are also issued to the candidates on
request. The format of the application has been
uploaded in the website. In the year 2017–18, 5,968
duplicate mark certificates and 4,932 certified copy
of mark certificates were issued. In order to contain
the generation of bogus mark certificates, the mark
certificates issued to the candidates have been added
with certain security features which makes
duplication of certificates virtually impossible. This
also enables the Directorate to easily establish the
genuineness. In addition to the security features,
2D barcode and the photograph of the candidates
have also been incorporated in the mark certificates.

5.16 Verification of Genuineness of Mark

Certificates
Verification of genuineness of mark certificates
is carried out by this Directorate, whenever the

120
requests are made by the appointing authorities and
by the higher education institutions. In the year
2016–17, 4,19,474 certificates of genuineness of
mark certificates were issued.

5.17 Migration Certificates

Migration certificates are issued to the

candidates, who pass SSLC and Higher Secondary
Board examinations and who desire to continue their
higher studies in other States within 5 days from the
date of receipt of application. In order to facilitate
the candidates, application format has been uploaded
in the website. In the year 2017–18, 6,420 migration
certificates were issued.

5.18 Conduct of various other Examinations

5.18.1 Diploma in Elementary Education

The Directorate of Government Examinations

is conducting the examinations for the Diploma in
Elementary Education. The scanned copy of answer
scripts is provided to the candidate, who desire for it.
Moreover, re-totaling and revaluation of answer

121
scripts are also done for the candidates on request.
13,467 candidates appeared in the examination
conducted in June, 2017.

5.18.2 Eighth Standard Public Examination

(ESLC)

In order to impart minimum general education

qualification to obtain employment and promotion at
basic level, the Directorate of Government
Examinations conducts the ESLC examination.
12,365 candidates appeared in the examination
conducted in January, 2018.

5.18.3 Government Technical Examinations

Government Technical Examinations are

conducted for the subjects namely Drawing, Sewing,
Agriculture, Printing, Music, Handloom and Weaving
etc., to provide technical qualification for
employment purposes. These examinations are
conducted at two levels i.e. Lower and Higher Grade.
11,594 candidates appeared in the examination
conducted in 2017.

122
5.18.4 Tamil Nadu Rural Students Talent Search
Examination

Tamil Nadu Rural Students Talent Search

Examinations (TRUST) are conducted every year in
the month of September to encourage the rural
students. The students studying in 9 standard during
the academic year, whose parental annual income
does not exceed rupees one lakh, are eligible to
appear for the examination. 50 girls and 50 boys are
selected from each district and a scholarship of
Rs.1000/- per annum is granted for a continuous
period of four years. Now, a facility has been created
for the students to apply online. In the year 2017,
59,112 students appeared for the TRUST
examination and 3,100 students were found eligible
for scholarships.

5.18.5. Examination for National Means-cum-

Merit Scholarship

The Directorate of Government Examinations

conducts the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship
(NMMS) examination and the candidates are selected
based on the marks and by adopting rule of

123
reservation. Candidates who have passed 7 standard
from State Government schools and Government
aided schools with 55% of marks (50% of marks for
Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe) and studying
in 8 standard and whose parental annual income
does not exceed Rs.1,50,000/- are eligible to appear
for the examinations and the selected candidates will
get a sum of Rs.6,000/- as scholarship per annum
(at the rate of Rs.500/- per month) from 9 standard
onwards up to 12 standard. This scheme provides
scholarships to 6,695 candidates of Tamil Nadu every
year. In the year 2017, 1,55,537 students appeared
for NMMS examination.

5.18.6. National Talent Search Examination

The Directorate acts as the Nodal Agency for

National Council for Educational Research and
Training in conducting the National Talent Search
Examination (NTSE) at Level I. Students, who are
studying in standard 10, in the State / Central Board
Schools during the academic year, are eligible to
appear for this examination. After the publication of
results of Level I conducted by the Directorate, the

124
Level II examination is conducted by the National
Council for Educational Research and Training at
National level and the interview is conducted for the
successful candidates. This scheme provides
scholarship to 40 candidates of Tamil Nadu every
year. The selected students are awarded scholarship
of Rs.1,250/- per month from 11 standard to 12
standard and Rs.2,000/- per month for degree level
and for Ph.D., level, scholarship is paid as per the
recommendation of University Grants Commission for
a maximum period of 4 years. In the year 2017,
1,59,729 students appeared for the NTSE and 255
students qualified in the level I.

5.18.7 Conduct of Union Public Service

Commission / Staff Selection
Commission Examinations

This Directorate also acts as the Nodal Agency

to conduct all Union Public Service Commission /
Staff Selection Commission examinations at Chennai
centre every year.

125
5.19 E-governance Initiatives

5.19.1 Computerisation of Government

Examinations

This Directorate has initiated the process of

computerising the entire activity of this Directorate
through Tamil Nadu E-Governance Agency (TNeGA).
The Government has sanctioned a sum of Rs. 2.72
crore for this activity out of savings of Tamil Nadu
Textbook and Educational Services Corporation.

5.19.2 National Academic Depository

The University Grant Commission have

authorized NSDL Database Management Limited
(NDML) to maintain a depositary of digital academic
records with respect to the candidates of all the
Examination Boards and Universities to facilitate the
candidates to download their e-Marks certificates
based on Aadhar authentication. The Institutions and
Employers can also do verification of records online.
This Directorate has made an agreement with NSDL
and initiated necessary work to store academic
records of all the students for the past few years.

126
5.19.3 DigiLocker

DigiLocker is a platform for issuance and

verification of documents and certificates in a digital
way, thus eliminating the use of physical documents.
From the year 2017, the candidates, who have
appeared for Higher Secondary and SSLC Board
Examination and signed up for a DigiLocker account
with their Aadhaar (UIDAI) number, have been
facilitated to download their Digital Marks Certificate
from the repository of the Directorate of Government
Examinations. The above facilitation was made
available to all the 19,44,184 candidates, who
appeared for Higher Secondary and SSLC Board
Examination held in March, 2017.

5.20 Budget

For the financial year 2018–19, an amount of

Rs.114.55 crore has been allotted to the
Directorate of Government Examinations for smooth
conduct of examinations. The Directorate of
Government Examinations has been taking every
effort to address the concerns of the student
community, parents and the society at large. A lot of

127
innovative measures have been taken in the yester
years to make the system of conducting the
examinations and publication of results easy and fair.
The Directorate will strive hard to achieve greater
heights and goals in the years to come.

128
 6. NON-FORMAL AND ADULT EDUCATION
6.1 Introduction

To eradicate illiteracy in educationally most

backward districts in the State of Tamil Nadu, the
Directorate of Non Formal and Adult Education was
formed in 1976. The target group for providing
literacy was adult non-literates above 15 years of
age.
Adult literacy programmes such as Rural
Functional Literacy, State Adult Education
Programme, Non-Formal Education for the learners,
Mass Programme of Functional Literacy, Total
Literacy Campaign, Post Literacy, Continuing
Education Campaign, Saakshar Bharat and
Equivalency Programme have been implemented
through this Directorate for sustaining the
momentum gained since its inception to make neo-
literates retain the acquired skills and pursue
learning all through their lives.
This Directorate also proposes to empower the
neo-literates by providing skill based vocational

129
training so that it enables them to take advantage of
numerous opportunities for income generation.

6.2 Vision

Achievement of total literacy by pursuing basic

literacy, vocational education and lifelong learning.

6.3 Objectives

 To facilitate basic literacy among adults

 To provide scope for neo-literates to move
smoothly to formal education
 To enhance the earning capacity of adults
through vocational training
 To prepare neo-literates for lifelong learning
and continuing education

6.4 Karkum Bharatham Scheme

In Tamil Nadu, “Karkum Bharatham” scheme

is being effectively implemented from the year 2009
in nine districts viz Dharmapuri, Salem, Erode,
Perambalur, Villupuram, Ariyalur, Tiruvannamalai,
Tiruppur and Krishnagiri, which were identified as the
districts having female literacy less than 50%
according to 2001 Census. This scheme aims at

130
facilitating adults to pursue their learning till they are
able to achieve equivalence to 3, 5 and 8 standards
and beyond in the formal school system. Top priority
is given to women, scheduled caste and scheduled
tribe, minorities and other disadvantaged groups in
the age group of 15 and above. This scheme targets
24.57 lakh illiterates found to have been so in the
Census, 2001 and intends to make all of them
literates. This scheme aims to achieve total literacy
in the State of Tamil Nadu. This programme was
implemented with an outlay of Rs. 160.90 crore, to
be shared by Central and State in the ratio of 75:25
up to the financial year 2014-15. The sharing pattern
has since been revised as 60:40 from the financial
year 2015-16.

6.4.1 Karkum Bharatham Scheme - Adult

Education Centers

A total of 3,602 Adult Education Centers have

been established at Gram Panchayat level in
9 districts to provide managerial, academic, technical
and resource support to basic literacy and lifelong
education at the grass roots level. In accordance

131
with the guidelines of Karkum Bharatham Scheme,
26 District Co-ordinators, 100 Block Co-ordinators
and 5,389 Preraks are working at present on
honorarium basis to teach basic literacy to the adults
who were enrolled in the Adult Education Centers.
Basic education, vocational skill development and
equivalency education are being provided to the
learners at these centers.

6.4.2 Basic Literacy to the Learners in the

Adult Education Centers

Basic Literacy is being imparted to the neo-

literate adults at the adult education centers making
use of the curriculum approved by the National
Literacy Mission. The curriculum focuses on providing
reading, writing and arithmetic skills for 300 hours in
order to prepare them for basic literacy assessment
test which is conducted in August and March every
year.

6.4.3 Integrating Technologies in the Adult

Education Centers

In the year 2012, 40 Adult Education Centers

got upgraded as Model Adult Education Centers

132
equipped with computers and other accessories at a
cost of Rs.1 crore in 7 districts namely Ariyalur,
Dharmapuri, Erode, Perambalur, Salem,
Tiruvannamalai, and Villupuram. In the year
2016-17, 10 Adult Education Centers got upgraded
as Model Adult Education Centers in Krishnagiri and
Tiruppur districts (5 in each) at a cost of Rs.25 lakh
provided under TANII scheme of the State.

Model Adult Education Center

The adult learners are trained in the use of ICT

materials at these model centers. This methodology
of teaching has helped in improving the learning
capacity of the non-literates. So far, 26,857 adult
learners have benefited from vocational skill

133
development training at “Model Adult Education
Centers”.

6.4.4 Capacity Building Activities

In 3,602 village panchayats coming under nine

educationally backward districts, learning centers
have been established. At these centers, in addition
to basic literacy, the learners are provided hands on
vocational training in making of artificial jewellery,
phenyl, soap, candle, incense sticks, embroidery,
sewing, soft toys, jamki work besides need based
skill training.

Handicraft - Materials

In addition to vocational skill development, the

learners were trained in the areas viz. Financial

134
Literacy, Legal Literacy, Rights of Entitlements,
Electoral Literacy, Disaster Management and Civil
Defence through “Inter-Personal Media Campaign”.

6.4.5 Learners Assessment Test under Karkum

Bharatham Scheme

National Literacy Mission Authority in

collaboration with National Institute of Open
Schooling (NIOS) conducts Basic Literacy
Assessment Test for the learners and issues
certificates. In the 9 educationally backward districts,
up to August, 2017, 24.67 lakh non-literates had
successfully completed their basic literacy through
“Karkum Bharatham” scheme and obtained their
certificates from NIOS in Tamilnadu.

135
 SUCCESS STORY ON SKILL DEVELOPMENT

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136
 74,156 learners appeared in the Basic Literacy
Assessment Test held on 25th March, 2018 at Adult
Education Centres established in these educationally
backward districts. The continuous efforts and
support of the State Government have resulted in
increase in the number of learners completing basic
literacy successfully over the years.

Percentage of Progression in Basic Literacy

Percentag
e

Year

Details of Learners passed in NIOS Test

Year Learners Passed Progress in Basic
in NIOS Test Literacy
2010-11 2,67,555 10.89
2011-12 15,12,607 61.55
2012-13 17,26,088 70.23
2013-14 17,93,393 72.97
2014-15 21,36,756 86.94

137
 2015-16 22,72,387 92.46
2016-17 23,88,596 97.19
2017-18 24,67,040 100.40
2017-18- 74,156 -
Target
Source: DNFAE
6.4.6 Equivalency Programme
In Tamil Nadu, effective measures have been
taken to implement the Equivalency Programme at
Level A (Equivalent to standard 3) for 46,472 neo-
learners in 5 districts viz, Tiruvannamalai, Ariyalur,
Perambalur, Krishnagiri and Tiruppur and
Equivalency Programme at Level B (Equivalent to
standard 5) for 25,570 neo-literates in 4 districts viz,
Villupuram, Dharmapuri, Salem and Erode as a sub-
component of Karkum Bharatham Scheme.

Equivalency Programme

138
6.5 Smart Virtual Class Room
As an innovation initiative in the adult
education programme, teaching and learning
activities under Equivalency Programme at Level A
(III) and Level B (V) are being conducted in addition
to the conventional teaching and learning methods
by utilizing the Smart VIRTUAL Class Rooms
established in 9 Saakshar Bharat districts.
Programme Coordinators of State Resource Center,
the teachers of high and higher secondary schools and
the Co-coordinators of Saakshar Bharat scheme are
conducting regular, live and interactive Smart VIRTUAL
Class Room activities in Tamil, Mathematics,
Environmental Studies and Basic Computing Skills
subjects. This initiative is the first of its kind in the
country in Adult Education Programme.

VIRTUAL Class Room Studio at DIET, Chennai

139
6.6 Impact of Adult Literacy Programme

The successful implementation of Non-Formal

and Adult Education Programmes by the Government
of Tamil Nadu has been responsible for substantial
increase in female literacy rate. The remarkable
growth registered in the female literacy rate in 9
Karkum Bharatham Scheme districts is shown below:
Increase in Female Literacy Rate from Census 2001 to Census 2011
Status in 2001 Status in 2011
District Literacy District Literacy
Rate Rate
Perambalur 54.26 Ariyalur 62.22
Perambalur 66.11
Villupuram 53.16 Villupuram 63.51
Tiruvannamalai 56.31 Tiruvannamalai 65.71
Dhramapuri 49.10 Dharmapuri 60.03
Krishnagiri 64.86
Salem 55.61 Salem 65.43
Erode 55.26 Erode 66.11
Tiruppur 72.07

6.7 Achievements

Tamil Nadu is the only State across the

country which has achieved 100% target under

140
Karkum Bharatham Scheme. 24.67 lakh learners
have been benefited and attained basic literacy
through Karkum Bharatham Scheme against the
target of only 24.57 lakh non-literate. Moreover, the
State has bagged National Literacy award for
outstanding performance in the field of Adult
Education Programme in 2013, 2015 and 2016.
 For the year 2013,
Ariyalur district received best district level award
and Kuppandampalayam Gram Panchayat of
Anthiyur block in Erode district received Gram
Panchayat award
 For the year 2015,
The State Literacy Mission Authority (SLMA)
received an award for its outstanding
contribution to “Karkum Bharatham” scheme.
Dharmapuri district received best district level
award and Palamalai Gram Panchayat of Kolathur
block in Salem district received best Gram
Panchayat award.
 For the year 2016,

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 Vattamuthampatti Gram Panchayat of Salem
rural block in Salem district received best Gram
Panchayat National Literacy Award. The
enormous efforts taken by the Government of
Tamil Nadu have made this possible.

6.8 Budget

An amount of Rs. 29.59 crore has been

allocated in the Budget Estimate for the financial
year 2018-19.

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 7. PUBLIC LIBRARIES

நவில்த ொறும் நூல்நயம் பபொலும் பயில்த ொறும்

பண்புடை யொளர் த ொைர்பு,
- திருவள்ளுவர்
7.1 Introduction

The Public Library is an institution that caters

to the need of public for education, culture and
information. In the era of information explosion,
these institutions play a critical role in keeping the
public informed of fast changes that are taking place
world over. The focus has been to promote reading
habits and lifelong learning. Recognizing the critical
importance of the services rendered by the public
libraries, these institutions have to expand horizons
to stay relevant to users' changing needs and
interests of the maximum populace at a minimal
cost.

Mission

To empower the communities by connecting

them to information and knowledge to explore,
create and share.

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Vision

Create an equitable, safe and welcoming

environment that supports bringing people,
information and ideas together.

7.2 Objectives

 To provide quality information to people in

a timely and convenient manner
 To build strong and relevant resources
 To connect the people with innovative
services.
 To introduce latest technologies for
transformation of libraries
 To preserve our cultural materials and
documents in digital form
 To make libraries inclusive

7.3 Libraries in Tamil Nadu

Public libraries have been established in the

State to foster reading habits, facilitate research
work and provide information to people in a timely
and convenient manner in accordance with the
“Tamil Nadu Public Libraries Act, 1948”. To meet the

144
needs of all the members of society, 4,622 libraries
have been set up as follows:-

1 Connemara Public Library 1

(State Central Library)
2 Anna Centenary Library 1
3 District Central Libraries 32
4 Branch Libraries 1926
5 Mobile Libraries 14
6 Village Libraries 1915
7 Part-Time Libraries 733
Total 4622

7.3.1 Connemara Public Library

The library was dedicated to the general public

on 05.12.1896 by the then Madras Governor Sir
Arthur Eli Bunk Haw Lock, naming the library
“Connemara Public Library” as a mark of respect for
Lord Connemara, the great man whose desire to
establish the library had been fulfilled. It has a
collection of rare books dated 1553 A.D and a stock
of 8,49,779 books along with 3500 periodicals and
160 news papers.

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 Connemara Public Library is one of the four
National Depository Libraries, which receive a copy of
all books, newspapers and periodicals published in
India. It also serves as a depository library for the
United Nations Organisation and Asian Development
Bank.

Connemara Public Library – Chennai (old image)

Periodicals section, language section with

publication and other reading materials in all Indian
languages from all over India, textbooks section, civil
services study circle, rare books sections are some of
the most frequently visited sections. Digital services

146
with unique collection of online journals and e-books
are made available to the users round-the-clock.

50% of the recurring and 1/3rd of the non-

recurring expenditure incurred towards the
maintenance of the library is met by the Government
of Tamil Nadu and the remaining expenditure is met
by the Government of India. The total grant
sanctioned for the year 2017-18 is Rs. 44.00 lakh.

7.3.2 Anna Centenary Library

Anna Centenary Library, a State of the art

library, housed in the most energy efficient green
building with a built up area of 3.75 lakh sq. ft. at
Kotturpuram, is one of the largest libraries in Asia. At
present, the library has nearly 5.7 lakh books
covering wide range of subjects to serve the user
communities.
Anna Centenary Library is equipped with
integrated library management system, which is
accessible over the internet to browse the entire

147
 Anna Centenary Library - Chennai

collection of library from anywhere with ease and

promptness. RFID tagging for books has helped in
automation and security of books. CCTVs have been
installed at strategic locations to ensure lawful and
safe use of library premises. Braille section, a unique
feature of the library, has more than 2000 registered
members and more than 950 Google group
(brailleacl. googlegroups.com) members. This section
hosts more than 2600 books in braille, sound
collection of CDs/ DVDs and around 1.1 TB of other
digital content.

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 The children section spread over 15,000 sq.ft.
with more than 1.6 lakh books, multimedia kits, an
artificial tree, a fun-filled theme-based reading area
and a performance stage can be accessed by children
who are between the age of 4 and 14. Special
children programmes are organized on every Sunday
such as storytelling, quiz, science experiments,
puppet show, chess class, etc.
Oriental manuscripts library section houses
50,180 invaluable palm leaf manuscripts, 22,134
paper manuscripts. This center is recognized by the
Madras University as a research centre for Doctoral
and M. Phil. studies among scholars of Tamil,
Sanskrit and other areas of ancient Indian culture.

Children Section – Anna Centenary Library

149
 An expenditure of Rs.449.80 lakh has been
incurred towards the maintenance of the Anna
Centenary Library during the financial year 2017-18.
7.3.3 Thanjavur Maharaja Serfoji’s Sarasvati
Mahal Library and Research Centre
Thanjavur Maharaja Serfoji‟s Sarasvati Mahal
Library and Research Centre is one of the world
famous knowledge hubs comprising oriental palm
leaf scripts, hand-written manuscripts, ancient and
rare books.
It is one of the most ancient libraries of India
which was started in the year 1535, flourished and
attained its peak during the rule of Maharaja Serfoji
(1798-1832). Since 1918, this library has been under

Sarasvati Mahal Library - Thanjavur

150
the control of the District Collector of Thanjavur. This
library has 47,334 manuscripts, of which 24,165 in
palm leaves and 23,169 in paper form in Tamil,
Telugu, Sanskrit, Marathi and English languages. It
has a collection of 45,000 books, maps, paintings on
all aspects of literature, art and culture. 3,578
ancient, valuable and rare manuscripts housed in the
library have been digitized. The library also conducts
a documentary film show and sound and light
programme on Thanjavur and its heritage. In the
year 2013, an Expert Committee has been
constituted under the leadership of the Hon‟ble
School Education Minister to upgrade this library as
an International Research Library. Thanjavur
Maharaja Serfoji‟s Sarasvati Mahal Library has been
registered under the Tamil Nadu Registration of
Society Act, 1975 in 1986 as per the directions of the
then Hon‟ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu late
Dr.M.G.Ramachandran. For development of the said
library and welfare of the staff, the Government has
increased the maintenance grant from Rs.40 lakh to
Rs.75 lakh. Further, a maintenance grant of

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Rs.117.65 lakh has been sanctioned towards the pay
and allowances of the staff and for other
contingencies during the financial year 2017-18.

7.3.4 Dr.U.Ve Swaminatha Iyer Library,

Chennai

Dr.U.Ve.Swaminatha Iyer library was

established on 05.07.1943 in reminiscence of the
eminent Tamil scholar and Researcher under the
earnest efforts of Thiru.S.Kalayanasundram
(S/o. Dr.U.Ve.Swaminatha Iyer) and Tmt.Rukmani
Devi Arundale. New Building was constructed for this
library and inaugurated on 22.04.1967. This library
consists of significant collection of 2,200 rare books
in Tamil in the form of manuscripts and handwritten
collections written by Mahavithvan Meenatchi
Sundaram Pillai. Further, 3,421 letters written by
other scholars to Dr. U.Ve.Swaminatha Iyer, Thani
Padalgal and Diaries from 1883 to 1939 written by
and materials used by Dr.U.Ve.Swaminatha Iyer and
37,355 books and 855 manuscripts and 2,170 palm
leaf bundles collected by Dr.U.Ve. Swaminatha Iyer
are preserved in this library. The ancient, rare

152
printed books and letters from the year 1923
onwards are being digitalized. For the development
and maintenance of the said library and welfare of its
staff, the Government sanctions grant every year.
Rs.17.88 lakh has been sanctioned during the
financial year 2017-18.

7.3.5 Maraimalai Adigal Library

Maraimalai Adigal, an ardent lover of books,

spent most of his income on buying books and doing
research on readership of his book collections. Upon
his death, the books were left for the people of Tamil
Nadu and thus a library, named after him, was
started in 1958 by Padmashri V.Subbiah Pillai at
Linghi Street, Chennai by adding a few rare collection
of Tamil books. The library is functioning in the
complex of Connemara Public Library but the library
management is still with the South India Saiva
Siddhanta Works Publishing Society. The library has
a collection of 80,000 books of which 1400 are
ancient and rare books. The Government provides a
maintenance grant of Rs.1.00 lakh every year.

153
7.4 District Central Libraries

District Central Libraries have been established

as per Rule 45 (2) (a) and 45 (4) (a) of the Tamil
Nadu Public Libraries Rules, 1950. Presently,
32 District Central Libraries are functioning to
provide quality information and knowledge and cater
to the educational needs of all including poor and
downtrodden. The library membership is available at
a very nominal fee. Any person residing in the
vicinity can enrol as a member and can borrow a
maximum of three books at a time by depositing
Rs.50. An annual subscription of Rs.10 per member
is collected without any discrimination. So far
10,12,181 members have been enrolled and in the
year 2017-18, 32,73,611 have accessed the library.
These libraries have a vast collection of 31,42,210
books and magazines on multifarious fields. Each
library has dedicated sections for periodicals,
references, competitive examination, women,
children, own book reading, differently abled and
internet surfing.

154
7.5 Branch Libraries

With a view to extend the coverage of

population, branch libraries have been set up in the
urban and rural areas with a population between
5,000 – 50,000. At present, there are 1,926 branch
libraries with well-equipped infrastructure and
resources serving 56,12,613 members. 3,87,31,144
visitors have availed these facilities in the year
2017-18. The libraries also provide services to
children, students, women, job seekers and elderly
people. 16,94,367 students of 3,593 schools have
been benefitted by implementing “Class Room
Library Scheme” by the department.

7.6 Village Libraries

With the noble idea of encouraging rural

community to enrol themselves as members, 1,915
village libraries have been set up in the State since
1996. Village libraries provide great value to the
community and serve as a public, social and physical
meeting place in the community. The libraries host
1,02,81,883 rich collections benefitting 17,77,976
members and 1,61,24,317 visitors. In the digitized

155
era, the village libraries have also been provided with
computer facility.

7.7 Mobile Libraries

Mobile libraries, stocked with books and

periodicals, committed to serve the poorest of the
poor and to reach the unreached in the hilly/ remote
areas, are functioning in 14 districts of the State.
A mobile van with its organized collection of books
and other materials including maps, films, and
compact discs (CD's) fascinate the public with
passion, creativity and determination and create a
culture of continuous improvement and community
collaboration. 26,019 members and 1,33,099 visitors
have been benefitted by the mobile libraries.

7.8 Part time Libraries

In the developing State, a sound network of

public libraries is essential to implement a complete
literacy campaign. Considering this need and also to
reach out to grass root level, part time libraries or
delivery stations for each village have been set up in
accordance with section 45(4)(c) of the Tamil Nadu

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Public Libraries Rules, 1950. Presently, 733 part time
libraries are functioning that cater 2,45,694 members
and 25,37,602 visitors in the year 2017-18.

7.9 State Resource Centre

To encourage the reading habit among

Children With Special Needs (CWSN), a separate
library has been set up at a cost of Rs.17.00 lakh in
the State Resource Centre. This has been set up with
the ultimate objective to equip the centre with the

“Physiotherapy” at State Resource Centre - Chennai

necessary infrastructure and resource facilities that

will enable them to explore their potential.
A separate unit has been provided in the centre for

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providing information on various disabilities,
treatment and counseling.

7.10 Source of Funding

7.10.1 Library cess

Library cess is a major source of revenue for

sustaining the activities of libraries and it is being
levied on house/property tax. In accordance with
section 12(1)(a) of the Tamil Nadu Public Libraries
Act,1948, cess was being collected at the rate of
3 paise per Rupee from 1950. It was raised to 5
paise per Rupee vide G.O.(Ms).No.252, Education
Department, dated 22.02.1972 with effect from
01.04.1972. The cess has been further raised to 10
paise per Rupee in G.O.(Ms). No.492, Education
Department, dated 19.05.1992 with effect from
01.04.1992 to meet the increasing demands of the
local library authorities. Procurement of books,
newspapers, periodicals, magazines, information
communication technologies infrastructure, basic
infrastructure facilities, construction of new building
for the libraries and their maintenance, digitalizing

158
the ancient, old and rare books, transforming the
library into knowledge and information hub, internet
facilities etc., are primarily funded by the library
cess. In the year 2017-18, Rs. 138.24 crore has
been collected as library cess.

7.10.2 Grants from the Raja RamMohun Roy

Library Foundation

The Raja RamMohun Roy Library Foundation,

the nodal agency of the Government of India, has
been established for coordinating, monitoring and
developing public library service in the country. It
has taken long strides to support and promote public
library services and systems by patronizing public as
well as private libraries consistently since its
inception in 1972. Financial assistance is extended to
the State library authorities adopting certain
schemes of matching and non matching assistance.
The financial assistance of Rs. 600 lakh has been
received by the department during the financial year
2017-18.

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7.11 Infrastructure for Public Libraries

With the limited financial resources, the

concerted and persistent efforts of the department
have resulted in housing 1,779 libraries in own
buildings, 2,511 in rent free buildings and 318 in
rented premises. In the year 2017-18, expenditure
to the tune of Rs.408.50 lakh and Rs.150 lakh has
been incurred towards the construction and
maintenance of the public libraries.

7.12 Procurement of Books and Periodicals

Selection of books and periodicals is done by a

professional selection committee keeping in view the
clientele requirements, anticipating the demands of
potential readers, keeping abreast of the changing
and current thoughts and giving adequate
representation to the scientific, social, historical,
literature, culture and heritage and intellectual forces
reshaping the modern works. In normal course, 25%
of the cess is earmarked for books and 6.5% of the
cess for periodicals in a given year. In addition,
books are also being procured to an extent of

160
Rs.300 lakh per year with the financial assistance of
the Raja RamMohun Roy Library Foundation.

7.13 Computerization

Realizing the importance of automation to

meet the increasing demands of public,
computerization of public libraries has been taken up
on priority. This has not only improved the quality of
services but also made access to external database
easy. Computers with internet facility have been
made available in all the 32 District Central Libraries,
191 full time branch libraries and 217 libraries
functioning in rural areas. Apart from this, 123
libraries have also been equipped with computers
and its accessories.

7.14 Civil Services Study Circles

In order to transform the public libraries into

citizen centric institutions, civil services study circles
have been set up in public libraries. Young aspirant
may get access to required study material and an
opportunity to engage with other groups at these
study circles. 285 libraries including 32 District

161
Central Libraries have been provided with study
circles. Online submission of application forms to
jobs related to Government and Government sectors
has been facilitated in Connemara Public Library and
the District Central Libraries to the aspirants of the
competitive examinations at free of cost. Facilities at
32 District Central Libraries have been further
strengthened at an estimated total cost of
Rs.32 lakh.
7.15 Readers Forum
An important role of the public library is to
focus on cultural and artistic development in the
community by creating readers forum. These
readers‟ fora act as an ideal network for reaching out
to the people at grass root level by providing space
for cultural activity, literary discourse, literary
debates, essay, oratory and quiz competitions. It is a
great place for catching up with friends and
colleagues with knowledge thirst.
7.16 Members / Readers / Patrons

A special drive has been organized amongst

the public to promote literacy and love of reading

162
and to become regular library readers for enhancing
and acquiring information and knowledge in various
fields. As a result, 74,28,694 members have been
enrolled in the recent years. A person by donating
Rs.1000/- can become a patron of the library and by
donating Rs.5,000/- a great patron and by donating
Rs.10,000/-, a donor. So far 1,17,278 have enrolled
as patrons and 869 as great patrons, 328 as donors
of the library, by contributing Rs.1,249.03 lakh. This
fund has been deposited as fixed deposits and the
annual interest accrued is being utilized for
strengthening of the libraries.
Statistics of the Public Libraries
Year 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18
Stock of 6.39 7.76 8.15
6 Crore
Books Crore Crore Crore
7.02 8.28 8.44 8.49
Visitors
Crore Crore Crore Crore
68.83 69.95 72.88 74.29
Members
Lakh Lakh Lakh Lakh
Patrons 99,114 1,06,768 1,10,623 1,17,278
Usage of 6.88 6.45 6.46 8.79
Books Crore Crore Crore Crore

163
7.17 Library Events

7.17.1 Librarians Day

12th August is being celebrated every year as

National Librarians Day in India to pay homage and
illustrious tribute to Dr. S. R. Ranganathan, Father of
Library Science for his fundamental thinking on the
famous five laws of library science. This helps in
sensitizing the librarians their mission of
continuously evolving to work towards meeting the
social and technological information needs of the
people. Massive rallies for creating awareness and
planting saplings were organized on this day by the
department with the active co-ordination of District
Collectors all over the State.

7.17.2 Library Day

Recognizing the importance of maximizing the

use of the library resources and justifying the role
that the library plays in the society, “Library Day” is
celebrated annually on 22nd May. This helps in
generating strong community engagement to drive
the success of public libraries with greater zeal.

164
7.17.3 National Library Week

National Library week is celebrated every year

from 14th to 19th November to recognize the
contributions of dedicated professionals who make
quality books available to their communities. Musical
concerts, awareness rallies, literary talks, debates,
introduction of new writers and new books are
organized for mobilizing community support.

7.17.4 World Book Day

In recognition of the esteemed services

rendered by the world‟s eminent English writer
A.William Shakespeare, his birth anniversary i.e. 23rd
April has been declared as World Book Day or Copy
Right Act Day by the UNESCO. It is celebrated
enthusiastically every year to pay tribute to books
and authors thereby encouraging everyone, in
particular youth to discover the pleasure of reading
and gain a renewed respect for the irreplaceable
contributions.

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7.17.5 Book Exhibition cum Festival

The book exhibition cum festival is an annual

literary event that brings together best selling authors
and thousands of book fans on single platform by
organizing author talks, panel discussions, book
signings and other activities. Over its ten years history,
the National Book Festival has become one of the pre-
eminent literary events in the State. In view of the larger
interest of the vociferous readers, a permanent book
exhibition has been established at the Connemara
Public Library.

7.17.6 Ponmalai Pozhudhu in Anna Centenary

Library

Anna Centenary Library organizes a literary

programme titled “Ponmalai Pozhudhu” at 6 pm on
every Saturday to kindle the curiosity and innovative
spirit of the audience with the eloquent speeches of
the eminent personalities excelling in various
domains like Tamil literature, cinema, media,
medicine, etc. and interaction with the readers. This
programme is being broadcasted live via Anna

166
Centenary Library‟s official 'You Tube channel'
www.youtube.com/aclchennai.

7.17.7 Orientation Programme for Competitive

Examination Aspirants in Anna
Centenary Library

Anna Centenary Library conducts orientation

programmes for competitive examination aspirants
on every Sunday at 11.00 am to groom their innate
potential for future accomplishments especially for
the aspirants of competitive examination like
IAS/IPS, UPSC, SSC, TNPSC, RRB, IBPS, TET,
Banking, etc Several senior officials from Indian Civil
Service, subject experts and other prominent
personalities provide awareness, clarity and insights
to the aspirants and interact with them. The program
is live streamed and recordings are made available
online at the library‟s You Tube channel
www.youtube.com/aclchennai.

7.18 Workshops and Seminars for library and

information science professionals

Anna Centenary Library plays a vital role in

imparting professional knowledge and skills for

167
library and information science professionals through
national conference, seminar, special lectures,
workshops, library week celebrations, etc.,
 “Orientation programme on IT and modern needs
for a public library system”, 25-27 May, 2017
 “One-day workshop for public library professionals
on Koha” on 23 August, 2017
 “One-day seminar on competencies of
professionals for managing smart libraries” on 11
November, 2017
 "Innovative Public Library Service" on 28
November, 2017.
 National Seminar on “Global Trends and
Innovation in Libraries and Information Centres”
on 2nd and 3rd of February, 2018

7.19 Digital Library

Digital library, a transition from traditional to
electronic library, with a collection of digital objects
inclusive of text, visual, audio/video material has
been set up in Erode at a cost of Rs.1.43 crore. This
facility has reading section, reference section,
computer section with internet facility having access

168
to e-resources such as e‐books, e‐journals,
e‐encyclopedias, e‐thesis, OPAC, etc.
All the e-magazines published in vernacular
languages have been subscribed in Connemara Public
Library, Anna Centenary Library and all the
32 District Central Libraries. With an objective of
enabling rural students to get access to the leading
English magazines and inspire them to participate in
the national level competitive examinations, 61
leading magazines have been subscribed by the
32 District Central Libraries, 34 magazines by 241
full time branch libraries, 19 magazines by
320 branch libraries.

The collections of Anna Centenary Library have

been further increased by subscribing e-magazines
and e-journals of national and international repute
and purchase of books in print as well as electronic
form with the financial assistance of Rs.1.30 crore
funded by the Tamil Nadu Textbook and Educational
Services Corporation in the year 2017-18

169
7.20 New Initiatives during the Year 2017-18

 The Competitive Examination Training Centers

have been set up in the libraries located in the
district head quarters of 24 districts at a cost of
Rs.24 lakh on par with the Competitive
Examination Training Centers already
functioning effectively in Coimbatore, Karur,
Vellore, Tiruchirapalli, Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli,
Namakkal and Cuddalore districts
 One lakh rare Tamil books have been collected
to donate to libraries in the countries with Tamil
population such as Yazhpanam library (Jaffna
Library) and Malaysian library.
 Books exhibitions have been conducted in all
districts with the active participation of books
sellers and publishers.
 Mobile books exhibitions have been organized in
schools in 12 districts inspiring the school
children to inculcate life long learning.

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7.21 Awards for Excellence

7.21.1 Dr.S.R.Ranganathan Award

To encourage commitment to the concept of

knowledge management in libraries,
Dr.S.R.Ranganathan award is conferred on the
librarians with a silver medal and a cash award of
Rs.2,000. This award is given every year primarily in
appreciation and admiration of the library
professionals for their sincere and untiring services in
increasing the number of members, visitors, patrons,
great patrons towards the development of libraries.
33 Librarians have been conferred with this award
for their dedication on 14.11.2017.
7.21.2 Shield of Honor to the Best Libraries
To motivate and encourage collective
initiatives that enrich knowledge management in
libraries, a “Shield of Honor” is conferred on the
libraries from the year 2012-13 onwards. Based on
the State wide performance, this award is given to
only those libraries which take special initiatives on
increasing the enrolment of members, patrons and
receiving donations, applying knowledge

171
management in serving the student community, e-
learning and other activities.

7.21.3 Library Activist Award

Library Activist Award comprising a shield worth

Rs.5000/- each and a certificate is conferred on the
three best performing presidents of the readers fora
functioning in the libraries all over the state
recognizing their inspiring aspiration and
contributions in improving the quality of libraries in
achieving excellence.

7.22 Budget

There has been a budgetary allocation of

Rs.120.67 crore for the financial year 2018-19.

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 8. STATE COUNCIL OF EDUCATIONAL
RESEARCH AND TRAINING
8.1 Introduction

The State Council of Educational Research and

Training (SCERT) has been instrumental in bringing
in qualitative changes in the teaching learning
processes in school education in the State. It is
responsible to develop curriculum, syllabus and
textbooks for standards 1 to 12 by involving the best
academic experts. SCERT has been largely involved
in capacity building of teachers in innovative ways of
teaching. It designs teacher professional
development programmes. It facilitates need-based
quality in-service training with the support of
Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. It also facilitates the
conduct of action researches to address academic
issues in the classrooms and to transform teachers
into reflective pedagogues.
In the recent past, it has been the endeavor to
help students become 21st century learners and
acquire soft skills by leveraging ICT. It has also

173
evolved career guidance to help students tackle
challenges after schooling and pursue their higher
studies and career options. SCERT is poised to help
the State become a pioneer in optimum utilization of
digital technology for enhancing the quality of
learning outcomes of children at all levels.

8.2 Vision

SCERT aims at developing a digitally vibrant

school education system with e-learning platform
encompassing virtual classrooms, interactive teacher
training, enabling the classroom with digital content
and accessories to improve learning with insightful
comprehension by students relating to real life
situations.

8.3 Objectives

 To develop curriculum, syllabus, textbooks,

supplementary materials

 To organize pre-service and in-service training

of teachers

 To develop and disseminate innovative

educational techniques and practices

174
  To develop educational kits, multimedia digital
materials and other related literature

 To evolve, implement and assess systems and

approaches for quality improvement in school
education and to sustain the interventions with
remedial follow-up

 To aid, promote and coordinate researches

related to school education

 to publish newsletters, journals etc pertaining

to professional development of teachers

 To collaborate and network with related

Directorates and Departments, Universities,
NGOs, other Educational and Research
Institutions/Agencies for implementing
academic and other extension services

8.4 Organizational Set-up

8.4.1 Institutions

The chart given clearly explains the hierarchy

of Institutions at different level.

175
8.4.2 Restructuring of SCERT and other
institutions
Based on guidelines of the Ministry of
Human Resources Development, Government of
India, the State Council of Educational Research and
Training and other institutions have been
restructured and re-organized in order to strengthen
these institutions and maximize delivery of services.

8.4.2.1 SCERT:
The new structure will have following five
divisions:

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Division of Curriculum Studies:

The division is entrusted with development of

curriculum syllabus, text books and additional textual
materials like student handbooks and teacher
handbooks for curricular, vocational and arts and
works experience subjects.

Division of Educational Research, Survey and

Assessment:
This division will conduct periodic assessment
of student learning including State Level Assessment
Survey(SLAS) and National Assessment Survey(NAS)
and designing post NAS interventions and training of
teachers. Besides, it will conduct qualitative
Researches to study factors influencing the performance
of children and use the findings in designing need-
specific teacher training programmes.

Division of Teacher Education, Leadership and

Management:

It shall focus on studying emerging trends in

teacher preparation. It will work in close association
with organizations like NUEPA, Azim Premji
Foundation, TISS, Mumbai etc. in sharpening

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leadership skills of DIET Principals, Head Teachers
and District Level Educational Leaders.

Restructured SCERT

Deputy Directors are assisted by 16 Senior Lecturers, 24 Lecturers

and 1 Librarian

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Division of ICT:

This division shall build capacity for continuous

preparation of text related digital content, curation,
dissemination and sharing through DIKSHA Portal.

Division of Programme and Monitoring:

It shall monitor all training programmes by

visiting and directing DIET faculty and District Level
Monitoring team to visit schools and give feedback
on training needs and remedial interventions to
address the District specific requirements of
teachers.

Roles and Functions:

 Acts as a State level apex academic body for
formulating norms, policies and programmes.
 Develops curriculum, syllabus and textbooks
taking into account the sweeping changes
happening across the world in all walks of life
 Empower teachers to adopt learning outcomes
to shift the teacher-centred pedagogy to

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 learner-centred instructional processes in
compliance with RTE Act, 2009
 Plans, designs and develops need-specific
training programmes at all levels from the
State to the Block and from primary to higher
secondary schools
 Develops appropriate digital content to help
teachers clarify difficult concepts
 Analyses the findings of National Achievement
Survey (NAS) / State Level Achievement
Survey (SLAS) to diagnose the gaps in
understanding that hamper students from
performing well and design appropriate
remedial measures
 Works to enhance and achieve improved
learning outcomes at the primary and upper
primary levels in consonance with the norms
fixed by the National Council Educational
Research and Training (NCERT)
 Engages in identifying innovative practices of
teachers, documenting and disseminating

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 them through TNSCERT website for
replications
 Facilitates the provision of on-site professional
support to teachers through regular school
visits by the academic faculty members of
DIETs
 Engages in capacity building of the identified
resource personnel in the modified digitized
content and methodologies using e-learning
platform and SMART boards
 Provides research and academic support to
organization like Non-Formal and Adult
Education.
 Assesses and evaluates the functioning of
District Institutes of Education and Training
(DIET), Block Institutes of Teacher Education
(BITEs), through periodical reviews
 Provides recommendations for improving the
fundamental efficiency of DIETs, BITEs, Block
Resource Centres (BRCs) and Cluster Resource
Centres (CRCs)

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 Provides the required infrastructure at the
levels of the SCERT, DIETs and BITEs for
transforming the pedagogies of various
subjects using digital platforms
 Facilitates and promotes the development of
professional skills of Teacher Educators
 Selects candidates for admission to Diploma in
Elementary Teacher Education (D.El.Ed.)
course through Single Window System
 Develops and revises Teacher Education
Curriculum for D.El.Ed. periodically
 Provides opportunities to make optimum use
of EDUSAT to reach out to students even in
remote locations
 Organizes training programmes for improving
the efficiency of Anganwadi workers
 Organizes training programmes to educational
administrators through SIEMAT
 Works to achieve Vision Tamil Nadu 2023 and
reposition the secondary and higher secondary
levels of education with appropriate grounding

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 in career guidance and counseling for
academic pursuits
 Organizes evaluation programmes in the field
of teacher education and school education.
 Organizes exposure visits to Institutes of
Excellence throughout the country for the
faculty members of SCERT and DIETs
 Works in partnership with National and
International organizations viz. NCERT,
NUEPA, Regional Institute of English, South
India(RIESI), Bengaluru, Regional Institute of
Education(RIE), Mysuru, Centre for Cultural
and Educational Research and Training
(CCERT), UNICEF, TANSACS and various
Government organizations and Non-
Governmental Organizations to mobilise the
required support to address quality issues in
education
8.4.2.2 Reclassification of DIETs
In view of growing demand for in-service
training of teachers due to change in curriculum and
otherwise, it has been decided to utilize facilities of

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20 DIETs exclusively for inservice training and
remaining 12 DIETs would continue to impart pre-
service and in-service training to teachers. Ministry
of Human Resources Development has also issued
guidelines in this regard. Accordingly, DIETs have
been notified on that pattern.

8.5 Research Cell – Activities in 2017-18

8.5.1 Research Projects

SCERT, in coordination with Alagappa

University, Bharathiar University and Tamil Nadu
Teachers Education University, organized two
workshops to scrutinize and review the research
proposals. The interactive sessions enhanced the
understanding of the DIET faculty in research
methodology and the ability to interpret research
findings to enhance the quality of teaching learning
processes. In all, 64 DIET faculty members got
benefitted from these training programmes. The 32
research proposals submitted by the DIET faculty
were refined and finalized during these workshops.
These research projects are nearing completion in
DIETs. Thrust areas of research projects are:

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  Case studies of best practices in schools
 Impact of 'Continuous and Comprehensive
Evaluation'
 Educational issues related to underprivileged
children
 Problems of learners in middle and high schools
 Reasons for academic backwardness of students
and strategies to address the issues
 Problems of primary school children in reading,
writing and speaking
 Problems in learning Mathematics
 Diagnosis of learning disabilities and
interventions

8.5.2 District Level Action Researches

SCERT has organized a series of zonal

research workshops and approved 308 action
research proposals. These action researches are
done in collaboration with school teachers. The
findings of the research projects and action
researches are being consolidated in a research
compendium and will be disseminated through

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District and State level conferences benefiting all
stakeholders of school education.

8.6 Quality Pre-service Training

The State Council of Educational Research and

Training takes a number of initiatives to enhance the
teaching skills of student-teachers. Pre-service
Training is being given in such a way that student-
teachers get innovative practices and approaches in
teaching-learning processes. The laboratories are
being utilized completely in order to motivate the
student-teachers to teach Science, Mathematics and
English effectively. The Teacher Education
Institutions provide Computer Literacy Training to
student-teachers to encourage them to use
computers in their activities. Teacher Education
Institutions provide yoga training to develop
the physical and mental health of student-teachers.
The campuses of the institutions are being
maintained clean and green and the student teachers
are given opportunities to practice cleanliness.

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8.6.1 Institutes offering Diploma in
Elementary Education

In all, there are 362 Teacher Education

Institutes offering Diploma in Elementary Education
for 4,807 students studying in the First Year and
6,905 students studying in the Second Year.
Institutes and Students - 2017-18
Sl. Category of the No.of I year II year
No Institutes Institutes
1 District Institute of 32 1047 1434
Education and Training
2 Block Institute of 7 66 79
Teacher Education
3 Government Teacher 9 113 165
Training Institute
4 Aided Teacher Training 34 264 328
Institutes
5 Self-financing Teacher 280 3317 4899
Training Institutes

Total 362 4807 6905

8.7 TET Coaching in DIETs

To enhance the confidence of student-teachers

in facing Teacher Eligibility Tests, each DIET is
involved in coaching D.El.Ed. students in TET
preparation. All the second-year students are

187
undergoing coaching for the Teacher Eligibility Test
through these institutions with the support of local
experts. Mock tests are conducted during the
practice sessions. This has benefitted 1,700 students
in the year 2017-18.

8.8 Revision of Curriculum and Syllabus

In compliance with G.O. (Ms) No. 146, School

Education Department, dated 30.06.2017, a
Curriculum Development Committee was constituted
under the Chairmanship of Dr.M.Anandakrishnan,
former Vice-Chancellor of Anna University, Chennai.
Sub-Committees were also constituted for the
curriculum development in Mathematics, Science,
Arts and Humanities.
A seminar on 'Developing the New Curriculum'
was held on 20.07.2017 at Kalaivanar Arangam,
Chennai. In this seminar, practicing teachers,
educationists, thinkers, international educational
experts, and administrators took part to deliberate
upon the course of changes that are to be brought
in. More than two thousand invitees participated. The
distinguished speakers shared their views and

188
suggestions for evolving and revising the curriculum
for school education.
Draft curriculum and syllabus were evolved
and hosted on the SCERT website. The draft syllabus
was viewed by 20 lakh stakeholders across the world
and 2 lakh persons downloaded the whole syllabus
document for the purpose of evaluation. SCERT
received 7000 valid suggestive comments, which
were further scrutinized by subject experts and the
syllabus was finalized.

8.9 Textbook Development in Consonance

with New Syllabus

SCERT has inducted new team members from

Universities, Colleges and Schools and commenced
textbook development task. The first phase of
textbook development is now over. As many as 174
titles of the textbooks for standards 1, 6, 9 and 11,
including minority languages have now been
developed and printed. As a part of innovative
exercise in material development, SCERT has been
developing Teacher Handbooks to help teachers
transact the content of the new textbooks. Student

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workbooks are also being developed to enable
children to develop critical thinking skills. Systemic
integration of QR code linked to audio-visuals with
the new textbooks is likely to enhance the conceptual
learning. It has been decided to complete
development of textbooks for all standards by the
end of 2018-19 academic year.

8.10 Programmes and Activities - 2017-18

8.10.1 Role of DIETs in Offering In-Service

Training

The capacity building of teachers is a

continuous process. In-Service training plays a
crucial role in sharpening the skills of teachers in
transacting the content of the textbooks effectively in
classes. The DIETs are in an advantageous position
to visit classrooms, interact with teachers and map
the gaps in learning outcomes so as to devise and
develop training manuals for heralding qualitative
changes in learning styles of children. The DIETs
conduct action researches to try out innovative
approaches to address academic issues in
classrooms. This collaboration research enhances the

190
professionalism of teachers to become critical
thinkers and practitioners of innovative processes.
The DIETs assist the SCERT in organizing holistic
teacher development initiatives including scouting of
innovations and video documentation of the best
practices of teachers. To avoid transactional loss of
the training content in the classroom processes by
the teachers after the training, separate trainer and
trainee manuals have been prepared and distributed
during the training in the year 2017-18.

8.10.1.1 In-Service Training – Primary level

Training sessions have been conducted for

strengthening of LSRW (Listening, Speaking, Reading
and Writing) skills in Tamil and English. Training
programmes in Science and Maths have also been
organized to help teachers in conceptualization of
scientific concepts through utilization of local
environmental resources and using kits. The teachers
are also being trained in “Integrating Multimedia
usage in classroom”. In all, as many as 1,14,000
primary teachers have got benefitted in various
subject-related training programmes and general

191
programmes such as School Sanitation and Child
Psychology.

8.10.1.2 In-Service Training - Upper Primary

Level

Five training programmes viz. Teaching Prose,

Poetry and Grammar (two days), Functional
Grammar and Classroom communication (two days),
Building Maths Aptitude and Kit Usage, Utilization of
Science Kit and Local Environmental Resources
(three days), and Understanding Historical
Monuments and Natural Resources through Atlas and
Mapping (two days) were conducted. In all, 70,000
teachers have got benefitted. Besides, SCERT, in
collaboration with the NUEPA, organized School
Leadership Development Programme for 6,950
Middle School Head Teachers.

8.10.1.3 Graduate Teachers Training

SCERT, in collaboration with RMSA, organised

capacity building training for Graduate Teachers in
the subjects namely Tamil, English, Mathematics,
Science and Social Science. The focus of the training
was on clarification of concepts, preparation of

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students for the Board Examination and pedagogy
appropriate to both gifted and slow learners. In
addition to the core subjects, a 5-day training was
also organised for teachers on the integration of
technology with classroom processes and
psychological counseling to high school teachers to
guide adolescent students. In all, 37,630 Graduate
Teachers got benefitted from this training.

8.10.1.4 Post Graduate Teachers Training

SCERT organized in-service training

programmes to Post Graduate (PG) Teachers to
enhance their classroom transactional and
pedagogical skills. In this connection, 'Material
Development Workshop' was held at Namakkal from
25th to 28th April, 2017. During the workshop, 15 PG
Teachers for each subject brainstormed and
deliberated on the content to be transacted during
the training. As the first activity, the subject teams
identified themes, sub-themes and key concepts for
each subject. The teams identified the concepts of
standards 11 and 12 which have linkage with the
concepts of standards 6 to 10. The syllabi of the

193
NCERT and the State Board were compared and the
missing concepts between the two syllabi were
identified. This activity was carried out for all the 10
subjects viz., Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Bio-
Botany, Bio-Zoology, History, Economics,
Accountancy and Commerce, English and Tamil.
The State Level Material Development
Workshop was held at Krishnagiri from 10th to 12th
May, 2017 for the subjects namely English,
Economics, Accountancy, Commerce, Mathematics,
Physics, Chemistry, Bio-Botany and Bio-Zoology. The
second phase of the State Level Key Resource
Persons‟ Training was held at SIEMAT, SCERT from
18th to 20th May, 2017 for Tamil and History.
The final 'Material Enrichment Workshop' was
held on 1st and 2nd June, 2017 at the SCERT. The
materials developed in the earlier workshops were
perused by the practicing PG teachers and the best
materials were selected and enriched. The Training
for Mentors and PG Teachers for Science subjects
was organized in all the Districts for three days and
for Arts Subject for two days. The District-wise

194
subject-wise experts were identified for all subjects.
The District-level PG Teachers Training was held in
the month of October-November, 2017 benefitting
16,161 PG teachers.

8.10.1.5 My English – an Online Capacity

Building Course for Teachers

SCERT and British Council have entered into

an agreement to offer an online course to teachers
who register their professional needs online. It will
be an online course for six weeks through interactive
online sessions, chat forums etc. The course has
immense scope to develop the LSRW skills of
teachers. The training proposes to enhance the
capacity of teachers integrating technology with
classroom processes. As it has the potential to
develop 21st century skills of digital literacy
communication, many teachers have evinced keen
interest in undergoing this course.

195
8.11 Capacity Building of Faculty and
Administrators

8.11.1 ICT Training

SCERT coordinated with SASTRA University

and organized a six-day residential ICT training to
DIET faculty members in seven batches. A total of
280 faculty members were trained in ICT.

8.11.2 Induction Training to Newly-recruited

DIET Faculty Members

SCERT organized a five-day induction training

to the newly appointed DIET faculty. The new
incumbents were trained in the emerging roles of
DIETs and the supportive roles they need to play for
the professional development of teachers, BRC and
CRC structures. In all, 111 new faculty members got
benefited from this training.

8.11.3 Administrative and Capacity Building

Training to DIET Principals

SCERT organized a three-day administrative

and capacity building training to the DIET Principals.
The programme focused on the process of curriculum
development, RTI Act, file management, legal issues,

196
establishment rules, disciplinary proceedings,
accounts keeping, planning for holistic development
of the organization, training management and
convergence with the other departments and
stakeholders of education. In all, 64 DIET Principals
and Senior Lecturers benefited through this training.

8.11.4 Capacity Building training to DIET

Faculty Members

SCERT organized a three-day Capacity

Building Training to the DIET faculty members. The
training was conducted in 4 spells. The programme
focused on the process of curriculum development,
RTI Act, file management, legal issues,
establishment rules, disciplinary proceedings,
accounts keeping, planning for holistic development
of the organization, training management and
convergence with the other departments and
stakeholders of education. In all, 377 DIET faculty
members got their expertise updated.

197
8.11.5 Induction Training to Newly Recruited
District Educational Officers

SCERT organized a two-day induction training

to the newly recruited DEOs. The district officials
were trained in various aspects of establishment
rules, RTI Act, file management, disciplinary
proceedings, administrative issues and academic
inspections. This programme benefitted 10 newly
appointed District Educational Officers.

8.11.6 Training of Assistant Elementary

Educational Officers

SCERT offered three-day administrative

training to Assistant Elementary Educational Officers
(AEEOs) in two spells with the resource support of
academic experts from National University of
Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA),
New Delhi. The training focused on giving an
insightful understanding of School Management,
School Development Plans, School leadership,
academic supervisions, RTI, establishment rules,
disciplinary proceedings and file management. The

198
training benefitted 398 AEEOs and 397 Additional
Assistant Elementary Educational Officers.

8.12 Digital Initiatives

8.12.1 Educational Satellite

SCERT has provided EDUSAT video

conferencing facilities at 58 locations throughout the
State at a cost of Rs.2.54 crore with the transmission
hub located at SSA premises. The EDUSAT facility is
being utilized for popularising flagship programmes
of the Education Department. Disaster Management
Experts, Child Psychologists and Subject Experts
have been able to interact with both teachers and
student-teachers. Career Guidance programme for
students/ teachers are also conducted through
EDUSAT.

8.12.2 Virtual Classrooms

The Government of Tamil Nadu has introduced

„Integrated Learning Scheme through Internet‟ in
high and higher secondary schools in the academic
year 2016-17. Under this scheme, 770 Government
high and higher secondary schools and 11 DIETs

199
have been provided the facility of virtual classrooms.
The use of virtual classrooms has revolutionized the
learning of students. In 2017-18, 192 teaching
sessions were organised through Smart Virtual
Classrooms in Tamil Nadu. The students studying in
standards 6 to 12 have gained concrete
understanding of concepts in core subjects by
interacting with subject experts and experienced
teachers.

8.12.3 Digitization of Textbooks (e-Pub)

SCERT with the technical support from the

NCERT has started the process of digitizing the
conventional textbooks into latest digitized e-books.
The textbooks have been converted to the e-PUB 3.0
format. Supported by a specially designed e-PUB
reader, the text can be selected, the page zoomed,
portions highlighted or bookmarked and the screen,
font and colour changed to cater to the needs of all
children including children with special needs. These
dynamic books can also be incorporated with
multimedia contents whenever needed. At present,
standard 10 books have been converted into

200
e-Pub version. It was inaugurated by the Hon‟ble
Chief Minister on 01.04.2017. At present, books on
five subjects of 10th standard have been converted
into e-books and are made available to students
through specially designed android application
named TN e-Book Reader. This App is the window to
access 10th standard textbooks of both English and
Tamil versions. It is also planned to convert
textbooks of all standards in e-PUB version and
disseminate the same for easy access.

8.12.4 DAISY (Digital Accessible Information

System)

SCERT has been entrusted with the

responsibility of creating audio files to be embedded
in digital textual content. This innovative initiative is
poised to help the children with special needs,
especially the visually challenged students. As a first
step, Daisy software has already been loaded on to
the digital content of all the 5 subjects of standard
10 textbooks. This facility will be up-scaled and
incorporated to all the other e-books in a phased
manner.

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8.12.5 Learning Management System

The Government has proposed to implement

Learning Management System (LMS). The system
will cover all the subjects from standards 1 to 12.
Videos, Web-based Tests and Mobile Apps will be
developed to facilitate learning beyond the class
rooms. LMS is a software application to transact
lessons, monitor learning and document the learning
outcomes of the Government school children. It will
help teachers to deliver educational content,
administer tests and assignments, track students‟
progress and manage record keeping. The LMS will
enable the teachers, students and other stakeholders
to access and use 24x7. This virtual learning
ecosystem not only renders homogenous learning
but also provides a clear focus on the curriculum, its
transaction, usage of learning tools and a meaningful
assessment for effective academic follow-up. The
nature of the content will be of audio-visual media,
an interactive media, an additional learning material,
worksheet, simulation and reference materials from
online resources as well as local resources. This is

202
being implemented at a cost of Rs. 2 crore benefiting
40 lakh students in the first phase.

8.13 Tamil Nadu Innovative Initiative

8.13.1 Training on English Phonetics and

Instructional Strategies

SCERT, in collaboration with Regional Institute

of English, South India (RIESI), Bengaluru organized
a Five-Day Training on Phonetics from 29.01.2018 to
02.02.2018 at Bengaluru. The objective of the
training was to enrich competence of the teachers of
primary schools in English phonetics and instructional
strategies. The participants were given training on
correct pronunciation and articulation of phonemes.
Besides focusing on pronunciation, vowels,
consonants, and diphthongs, the training focused on
word stress, sentence stress and intonation as well.
The participants were given training in using minimal
pairs. The use of language laboratory for improving
the language skills of the participants was practically
demonstrated. 3 teachers 1 DIET faculty member
and 1 BRTE from each district attended the training.
Thus, 161 teachers and teacher educators got

203
benefited in two spells. The State Planning
Commission released a sum of Rs 88.20 lakh. The
Master Resource Persons carried forward the training
to the teachers at the District level, which benefitted
about 7,013 teachers teaching in English medium
sections of the Government schools.

8.13.2 Image Recognition Application

Technology
Image Recognition Application Technology
(IRAT), based on augmented reality, enhances the
effectiveness of learning at secondary and higher
secondary levels. With the help of Image Recognition
Application, students now access content in 3D
virtual objects/ 2D animated content / recorded
sound and video teaching sessions relevant to the
picture of the existing textbooks at anytime and
anywhere. Content is seamlessly integrated with the
existing textbooks. 141 Science and Maths videos
developed by the subject experts have been
scrutinized and evaluated by an expert team from
Anna University for integration in textbooks. This App
has the potential to sustain over the years as every
year digital content including theme-specific

204
3D models of images, specific videos for Science and
Maths will be added on to the repertoire of IRAT-
compliant devices like mobile phone, Tablets, Laptop
and Desktops. This revolutionary App has benefitted
20 lakh students studying in 7,680 Government and
Government aided high and higher secondary
schools.

8.14. Other Important Activities and Initiatives

8.14.1 Alternative Method of Evaluation
through Continuous Comprehensive
Evaluation (CCE), Worksheets
In response to the overwhelming support and
enthusiasm from teachers and students on the CCE
worksheets administrated in all Government and
Government aided schools in 2016, SCERT proposes
to develop CCE worksheets for all the standards from
1 to 10. These worksheets will help in enhancing
conceptual understanding of learners and the
questioning skills of teachers. SCERT proposes to
develop CCE worksheets for the standards 1, 6 and 9
based on the new textbooks to be implemented in
2018-19. This would benefit 30 lakh children

205
studying in Government and Government aided
schools.

8.14.2 National Achievement Survey

(Standards 3, 5 and 8)
SCERT and SSA jointly conducted the National
Achievement Survey for the standards 3, 5 and 8 in
the sampled Government and Government aided
schools on 13th November, 2017 in 31 districts to
understand the educational health of the State. In
2017-18, the NAS was conducted for Language,
Mathematics and Environmental Studies for
standards 3 and 5 and for Language, Mathematics,
Science and Social Science for the standard 8 based
on learning outcomes developed by NCERT. District
report cards were generated which showed the
performance of students for each learning outcome.
SCERT has undertaken post-NAS interventions in the
light of the performance of students in the survey.
The teachers at primary and upper primary levels will
be oriented on the learning outcomes to transform
classroom transactions and adopt multiple ways of
assessment of students based on the learning
outcomes.

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8.14.3 National Achievement Survey –
Standard 10 (Phase 2)

The cycle–2 of the NAS for standard 10 was

conducted on 5th February, 2018 in 2,560 schools
including Government, aided and private schools for
85,459 students across the State. The survey was
conducted in all the five curricular subjects. The
District report cards were generated which showed
the performance of students in each competency.
SCERT proposes to organize post-NAS interventions
in 2018-19 for the teachers handling the standards 9
and 10 for the benefit of students. The intervention
would benefit the teachers in changing the classroom
transactions in order to help students understand the
concepts of all the curricular areas. These post-NAS
Interventions are likely to build the capacity of
children to such an extent that they would gain
remarkable confidence to face PISA Test in 2021.

8.14.4 Career Guidance Programme

SCERT organized the State Level Orientation

Programme on career guidance involving experts in
career guidance at SCERT on 20.03.2017. A team of

207
four personnel from each district participated in the
programme. At the district level, Chief Educational
Officers and Principals of DIET organised the
programme on 6th and 7th April, 2017. The Tamil
Nadu Textbook and Educational Services Corporation
extended support by printing 3,00,000 career
guidance handbooks for standards 10 and 12. The
Directorate of Employment and Training collaborated
with SCERT in providing career guidance modules
separately for standards 10 and 12, brochures
displaying all the career options for students and
registration-cum-feedback form. All the students,
who attended the career guidance, were provided
with handbooks for their reference. This programme
benefitted 15 lakh students across the State.

8.14.5 Value Integrated Teaching and Learning

SCERT organized Value Integrated Teaching

and Learning (VITAL) training for teachers handling
standards 6 to 10 in Government and Government
aided middle, high and higher secondary schools in
the State. As the programme ensures discipline
among students, the quality of education of

208
Government and Government aided schools would
improve. About 100 values have been identified and
integrated with concepts. This training has benefitted
40,000 teachers working in 10,000 middle schools
and 6,700 high and higher secondary schools. This
programme has benefited as many as 45 lakh
students.

8.14.6 Disaster Management Awareness

Activities

SCERT in collaboration with the Disaster

Management and Rehabilitation Department of the
Revenue Department has developed syllabus,
textbooks and training modules. SCERT reviewed the
content on Disaster Management incorporated in the
social sciences textbooks of standards 7 to 10 by
involving experts in the field of Disaster Management
such as Director of Disaster Management, faculty
members of JRD Tata School of Disaster Studies and
Save the Children, an NGO. The suggestions given
by the experts have been consolidated for
incorporating in the textbooks during the revision of
textbooks. Efforts have been taken to incorporate

209
content of Disaster Management in standards 11 and
12 in subjects such as Tamil, English and Geography
textbooks and source book of Diploma in Elementary
Teacher Education.

8.14.7 Audio Podcasting of NIOS D.El.Ed.

Course Content

SCERT has rendered support to NIOS in

translating the lessons for its online D.El.Ed. course.
In all 25,000 private school teachers are undergoing
this course. To supplement the initiative of SCERT
and DIETs, DIET, Salem has converted the content of
D.El.Ed. course material into audio files with
appropriate explanations. This has been received well
by private teachers as the audio podcast is available
for anytime download. NIOS has appreciated this
transformational initiative.

8.14.8 Online Radio Service

DIET, Uthamacholapuram, Salem District, with

the guidance of SCERT, launched the FM Educational
Radio for School Education. Besides, it gives a
platform to the student community to hone their
skills in performing arts such as songs, drama,

210
conversations etc. This innovation has reached out to
21 blocks of the District, 4,000 teachers and around
60,000 students have an access to the broadcast.

Online Radio Service

8.14.9 Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC)

The DIET, Uthamacholapuram, Salem, under

the guidance of SCERT, has planned to launch three
online courses for continuous professional
development of teachers. The courses will be made
available to the practicing teachers on demand and
on completion of the course, SCERT will issue the
certificates. The course offered is 'Certificate Course
in Action Research'.

8.14.10 Training Management Information

System – Piloting Underway

DIET, Krishnagiri has taken up initiative to set

up a 'Training Management Information System

211
(TMIS)'. This Training Management Information
System has the following features:
 Data collection and maintenance of updated
information on teachers
 Integration of training calendar
 Dissemination of information on time to
teachers and schools
 Attendance and acquittance online and on time
 Maintaining a repository for resources and
documents related to training
In future, it will be implemented all over the
State in all the Districts through the DIETs.

8.14.11 Training of Teachers of Self-Financing

Schools
In order to facilitate periodical updating of the
pedagogy and skill sets of the teachers working in
private schools, the State Government has issued
an order G.O. (Ms) No. 228, School Education
Department, Dated 06.11.2017 directing SCERT and
DIETs to provide training to all private school
teachers. This training would empower all the
teachers handling standards 1 to 12 in all the
self-financing private schools in the State.

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8.14.12 Training Tamil Teachers from Malaysia

In response to the request of Malaysian

Government, SCERT has organised a five-day
intensive training to Malaysian Tamil teachers. In
future, similar training programmes will be organised
for the Tamil teachers through online and offline
tailoring the sessions to suit their professional
requirements.

8.14.13 Training of Teachers in ICT

Microsoft has entered into an agreement with

the State Government to train 500 Government
school teachers in Tamil Nadu by June 30, 2018 in
collaboration with SCERT in digital literacy. Microsoft
would provide the required trainers, ICT curriculum
and content for the training free of cost. All the
target schools will benefit through the Microsoft
premium cloud productivity suite and office 365. The
cloud computing technology shall transform the
learning landscape of schools in Tamil Nadu.

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8.15 SCERT’s Participation in Ministry of
Human Resources Development
Initiatives for Quality Improvement

8.15.1 SSA Shagun

Shagun, a web-portal for Sarva Shiksha

Abhiyan captures and showcases innovations and
progress in elementary education sector. This portal
houses a repository of best practices of teachers well
documented in the form of videos, case studies,
testimonials and images. SCERT has uploaded videos
of teachers involved in doing innovative work in their
classrooms. As on 01.12.2017, 1,994 educational
videos have been uploaded on to Shagun. The digital
content now linked to Shagun portal has already
been viewed by 21 lakh persons evidencing
extensive use of the digital content produced by
SCERT, Tamil Nadu. This portal has an online
monitoring module to measure State-level
performance against key educational Indicators.

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8.15.2 Formation of State/District Level
Societies

As per the advice of the MHRD, State Level

Society and District Level Societies are being formed
in accordance with the Tamil Nadu Societies
Registration Act, 1975. The role and functions of
State Level Society are primarily to mobilize
resources for professional development of teachers
and would function as apex society to supervise the
district level societies. The role and functions of the
district level societies are to mobilize resources for
training of teachers in the areas of capacity building,
content development in academic, ICT methodology
pedagogy, health education, road safety and disaster
management and to create infrastructure facilities by
raising funds under Corporate Social Responsibility
and public private partnership mode.

8.15.3 National Teacher Platform

MHRD has launched National Teacher Platform

to enable States to use online courses and sources
for self-learning of teachers and classroom use.
SCERT has been regularly uploading digital

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educational content such as animated videos,
dubbed science videos and subject videos developed
by DIETs and SCERT faculty in collaboration with
practicing teachers. SCERT has already prepared
more than 2000 educational videos. As and when
new text books hit the schools, production of related
digital content would commence and SCERT would
share all the upcoming videos content also through
National Teacher Platform. SCERT would enable
teachers to access online courses to ensure
continuous learning and access of resources for
classroom use.
DIKSHA, a national digital platform developed
by Ministry of Human Resource Development for
teachers, offers resources for teaching, learning, and
professional development. DIKSHA provides open,
modular and scalable technology that State
Governments and other organizations can seamlessly
integrate with their respective teacher-centric
initiatives. Efforts would be made to popularise use
of this portal for self learning and teaching in
classrooms.

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8.16 Budget

SCERT is continuously engaged in preparing

teachers for adopting emerging pedagogies, new
textbooks and the 21st century skills. The teacher
professional development activities would ensure
optimum utilization of digital learning platforms and
guide student community to become confident in
facing challenges in future. An amount of Rs. 83.83
crore has been allocated for the financial year 2018-
19 for SCERT.

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 9. TEACHERS RECRUITMENT BOARD

9.1 Introduction

The Teachers Recruitment Board was

established in the year 1987 mainly to expedite the
process of recruitment of candidates for posts of
teachers in Government Schools and certain posts in
Government Educational Institutions under the
Control of Director of Collegiate Education, Director
of Technical Education and Director of Legal Studies.
The recruitment of candidates for these posts was
being earlier done by the Tamil Nadu Public Service
Commission. Till now, 1,59,451 teachers for Schools
and Colleges have been recruited. Besides, Teachers
Recruitment Board is the State Nodal Agency for the
conduct of the Tamil Nadu Teacher Eligibility Test
(TNTET). The details of various categories of
recruitments undertaken by the Teachers
Recruitment Board are regularly uploaded on the
official website http://trb.tn.nic.in for the benefit of
prospective candidates.

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9.2 Objectives
The primary aim of Teachers Recruitment
Board is to build the systems and procedures for
identification of the extrinsic and intrinsic talents of
the candidates to suit the requirement of a particular
post. In addition, the Board adopts the following
state of the art technology to ensure fair selection
process:
 Digitization of the entire recruitment process
 Automation of process
 Objective and transparent evaluation of
Optical Mark Reader (OMR) sheets

9.3 Measures Initiated to ensure Fail-proof

Recruitment Process
In the conduct of examination, stringent
measures have been taken to prevent any
malpractice. However, It has been felt essential to
further review the Standard Operating Procedure for
ensuring safe and secure conduct of examination.
Some of the sensitive areas have been demarcated
and are being brought under strict surveillance and
control. These areas include the places where
question papers are preserved, examination centres,

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transport, storage and scanning of OMR sheets. It is
proposed to procure the required equipments
including scanning machines as TRB conducts some
examination or the other throughout the year. OMR
answer sheets will be printed in the Government
owned press in future. Barcodes on answer sheets
will be assigned only by the staff of Teachers
Recruitment Board and the relevant information will
be kept under the safe custody of a designated
officer. It has also been decided to introduce bio-
metric based entrance system even for Teachers
Recruitment Board employees to access the area.

9.4 Functioning of Information Centre

A fully equipped Information Centre has been

functioning in the Teachers Recruitment Board since
2015. Adequate facilities have been provided to the
candidates to submit their representations/objections
on any process at the centre.

9.5 Recruitments

During the year 2017-18, 2357 PG Assistants,

195 B.T. Assistants and 59 B.T. Assistants (IEDSS)

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have been recruited for the School Education
Department. One B.T. Assistant has been recruited
for the Social Defence Department from the available
TNTET Paper-II qualified candidates.

9.6 Achievements during the period from

2011-12 to 2017-18

During the period, Teachers Recruitment

Board has completed the task of recruiting 45,832
teachers under several categories as follows:
 School Education Department – 43,044
 Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and
Minorities Welfare Department, Adi Dravidar
and Tribal Welfare Department, Corporation
Schools and Social Defence Department –
1,260
 Higher Education Department - 1,528

9.7 Annual Recruitment Planner

Teachers Recruitment Board conducts various

written competitive examinations for different
categories of recruitment. The annual recruitment
planner is regularly published for the benefit of

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candidates so that they can be fully prepared well in
advance for facing these examinations.

9.8 Budget

As the recruiting agency of the Government,

the Teachers Recruitment Board plays a vital role in
selection of suitable candidates in free and fair
manner. A budget provision of Rs 4.06 crore has
been made to this Board for the year 2018-19.

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 10. TAMILNADU TEXTBOOK AND
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION
10.1 Introduction

A “Bureau of Tamil Publications” was

established in the year 1961 with the objective of
translating books in other languages to Tamil and
publishing the same. “Tamil Nadu Textbook Society”
comprising Bureau of Tamil Publications was
constituted in the year 1970 and in the year 1993,
the name was changed as “Tamil Nadu Textbook
Corporation”. The mandate of Tamil Nadu Textbook
Society includes printing, publishing, selling and
supplying of books on Literature, Science,
Technology and other streams. With effect from
06.09.2013, its name was changed as “Tamilnadu
Textbook and Educational Services Corporation”, so
as to enable to procure and supply cost free
educational kits to students studying in Government
and Government aided schools.

10.2 Objective

Tamil Nadu Textbook and Educational Services

Corporation has been printing and distributing

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approved text books for standards from 1 to 12,
procuring cost free educational kits, republishing rare
and old Tamil books and also focusing on creation of
Tamil literary resources. Further, the Corporation has
been taking all the steps to print and publish the
books on Engineering, Medicine, Agriculture, Law and
Veterinary Science in Tamil in book form as well as in
electronic version (e-book) and also to print special
guides useful to students in standard 12 to compete
for various competitive examinations.

10.3 Infrastructure

The Corporation has been housed in its own

10 storied building, EVK Sampath Maligai in DPI
campus. The Corporation has not only been
supplying free textbooks to all the students studying
in Government and Government aided schools
throughout the State but also selling textbooks (sale
copies) throughout the State. To facilitate the
network of distribution, it has established 6 own
regional godowns and hired 16 godowns on rent.

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10.4. Printing

By duly following the Tamil Nadu Transparency

in Tenders Act, 1998 and the Rules 2000, for the
years 2016-18, 96 printers have been selected and
MOUs have been executed with them to print and
supply textbooks on rate contract basis for a period
of two years. These printers have been printing
about 10 crore textbooks on academic pattern,
trimester pattern and ABL cards and other
Departmental textbooks.

10.4.1 Distribution of Free Textbooks to

Government and Government Aided
Schools

To ensure timely delivery of free textbooks to

students studying in Government and Government
aided schools, the textbooks are sent directly from
the printers to 67 District Educational Offices and 32
District Elementary Educational Offices. During
2017-18 academic year, 5.25 crore free textbooks
have been delivered at the cost of Rs.198.63 crore.
For the first time, in the academic year 2017-18,

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cost free text books and educational kits have been
delivered at the schools by incurring additional cost
of Rs.11.36 crore towards transportation charges.

10.4.2 Textbooks for Sale to Self Financing

Schools

The Corporation has been supplying textbooks

in bulk to Self financing schools on payment online.
The schools are availing the additional facility of
getting textbooks at their doorsteps through India
Post. Textbooks are also sold at two counters i.e. one
at Head Office and another at Anna Centenary
Library, Kotturpuram. In the year 2017-18, 2.28
crore books at the cost of Rs.171.46 crore were sold
to self financing schools.

10.4.3 Printing and Supplying of Guide Books

to other departments

The Corporation has been printing and

supplying guides to the following departments on
demand.

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 Name of Department/ Total number Total value
Directorate of Guides Rs.
Supplied
Adidravidar and Tribal 3.30 Lakh 77.92 Lakh
Welfare
(10 and 12 Std students)
Backward Classes 95,050 22.74 Lakhs
(10 and 12 Std students)
Most Backward Classes 1.16 Lakh 27.84 Lakh
(10 and 12 Std Students)
Minority Welfare 889 23,074

Besides, 1.25 crore number of copies with a

value of Rs. 8.24 crore have been supplied to other
agencies and departments in the year 2017-18.

10.4.4. Supply of Tamil Textbooks to the

schools affiliated to the Central Board
of Secondary Education

Tamil textbooks in single volume (Annual

Textbook) have been printed and supplied for the
students studying Tamil as second language in the
schools affiliated to Central Board of Secondary
Education in Tamil Nadu and also for other State
Boards in Tamil Nadu. For the academic year
2017-18, 7.5 lakh books have been sold to

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760 schools and a sum of Rs.5.75 crore has been
realized.

10.5 e-books

The textbooks published by the Corporation

can be viewed at the website of the Corporation
(www.textbooks online.tn.nic.in). Hence, students
can easily access the textbooks and download them
free of cost.

10.6 Cost Free Kits

Since 2014-15, the Corporation has been

procuring school bag, footwear, crayons, wooden
colour pencils, geometry boxes, woollen sweater and
atlas for distribution as cost free educational kits to
the students studying in Government and
Government aided schools. As per the announcement
made by the then Hon‟ble Chief Minister on the floor
of Assembly, in addition to the above mentioned cost
free educational kits, raincoats, socks, ankle boots
are also being issued to students studying in
Government and Government aided schools in hilly
areas, from 2017-18 onwards.

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10.7 Digitalization of rare and old higher
education books

Considering the importance of rare and old

higher education books, steps have been taken to
search and print these old books to make available in
open market for the benefit of seekers of these kind
of books. Steps have been initiated to digitalize and
upload these books on the website also.
Out of 1000 books published by the
Corporation, 875 books have been digitalized in the
year 2017-18 through Tamil Virtual University and
uploaded on the website www.tnschools.gov.in. It
has also been decided to print 100 copies on POD
(Print On Demand) basis and accordingly, orders
have been issued to print 595 books. Of these, 341
books have been printed and kept in stock. 190 such
books were exhibited in the Book Fair Exhibition,
conducted in January, 2018 and requirements have
been obtained from professors, students, researchers
and readers for printed copies.

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10.8 Translation of Textbooks into Tamil

The Corporation has taken steps to translate

the Higher Education Books in Medical, Law,
Engineering, Arts, Science, Homeopathy, Sidha
Medicine, Fisheries, Physical Education, Veterinary
Science and Agriculture from English to Tamil. Action
has also been initiated to translate 69 Textbooks
relating to Agriculture on the basis of request
received from Agricultural University. Six volumes of
competitive examination books have been translated
into Tamil through Pearson & Co. Oxford and Penguin
Companies have been approached to enter into an
agreement for translation of literature oriented
books. Since Penguin Company consented to
translate six English books published by it into Tamil,
translation work has been going on. Thus, works are
going on for translation of Modern Science
Technology books into Tamil at the cost of Rs.5 crore
from the funds of Tamil Nadu Textbook and
Educational Services Corporation.

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10.9 Other Important Initiatives with funding
from the Corporation

 A Toll Free Helpline has been established for

providing guidance and information regarding
education, employment opportunities,
clarifications, and suggestions to students,
parents and teachers. at the cost of
Rs.1.98 crore

 412 coaching centres for competitive

examinations at the rate of one centre per
block have been established all over the State
to prepare students studying in Government
and Government aided schools. These centres
use VSAT facility for conducting interactive
sessions. All the students shall be provided
content for studying online as well as in hard
copies. A sum of Rs.19.78 crore has been
permitted by the Government out of the
Corporation fund to meet the expenditure in
this regard

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 Rs.5 crore has been released from the funds of
the Corporation to the Director of Public
Libraries to buy new books for the public
libraries

 Rs.4 crore has been released to the Director of

School Education from the funds of the
Corporation to conduct cultural festival for the
students studying in the Government and
Government aided schools at block,
educational district and State level

 Rs.3,20,000 has been released to the Director

of Elementary Education from the funds of the
Corporation for conducting Educational Loan
Camps (at the rate of Rs.10,000/- per District)

 Steps are being taken for supplying Tamil

Medium books for the students residing in
foreign countries. During the Academic year
2017-18, this Corporation has supplied 7,624
copies of textbooks to the students studying in
Tamil language in other states and foreign
countries

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 Sanction has been accorded to the Corporation
for procurement of computers and accessories
for establishment of Hi-tech labs under ICT
scheme, in 3090 Government high schools and
2939 Government higher secondary schools at
a total cost of Rs.462.60 crore

 As per the announcement made by the Hon‟ble

Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, sanction has
been accorded to Tamil Nadu Textbook and
Educational Services Corporation to procure
smart boards and other accessories through
tender process, for establishment of Smart
class rooms in 3000 Government primary and
middle schools in rural areas to facilitate easy
learning of subjects at a total cost of Rs.60
crore at the rate of Rs.2 lakhs per school

 The process of procurement and supply of

cupboards and incinerators to 3,334 schools at
a cost of Rs.11.88 crore from the funds of the
Corporation has been initiated

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 Creation of content and facilities for guiding
students for preparation of various
examinations would be created at a cost of
Rs.2.93 crore by utilising the funds of the
Corporation for the benefit of 3.75 lakh
students studying in 7,219 middle schools
located in rural areas

 Steps are being taken to procure 369

computers and 123 scanners for supply to 123
public libraries at a cost of Rs.1.84 crore from
the funds of the Corporation

 It has been decided to release Rs.1.62 crore to

the Director, SCERT from the funds of
Corporation for creation of Learning
Management System

 One lakh Tamil books will be obtained through

public donation and sent to the Yazhpanam
Public Library and Malaya University by the
Corporation

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10.10 Conclusion

From the inception, this Corporation has been

doing work relating to printing and supplying of
textbooks. Now, the Corporation has also been doing
works relating to procurement of educational kits,
publication of books for Higher education,
re-publication of very important books and uploading
them on website. The Corporation has been sincerely
rendering quality services by ensuring timely
distribution of quality materials at schools in an
appreciable manner.

K.A. SENGOTTAIYAN,
Minister for School Education.

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