TN to revise state board curriculum, syllabus after six years: Anbil Mahesh

Chennai: School education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi announced on Friday that state govt will revise the state board curriculum, syllabus, and textbooks after a gap of six years. The revision will take place over a period of three years for Classes I to XII.

Replying to the debate on demand for grants for school education department in the assembly on Friday, Poyyamozhi said the syllabus revision aims to equip students with essential skills and prepare them to face future challenges. He announced an allocation of 7 crore towards this initiative.

"There will be meetings with academicians, subject experts, teachers, and students regarding the changes to be made in the state board curriculum and syllabus. Following this, the syllabus revision work will be carried out, and textbooks will be revised in a phased manner," an official said.

Following the introduction of NEET-based medical admissions, the state board syllabus and textbooks were revised in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 academic years. Subject experts said the current state board syllabus and textbooks have more than 95% similarity with the NCERT syllabus and textbooks.

Poyyamozhi's announcements included a new initiative "Thiran", to enhance proficiency in Tamil, English, and mathematics for 13 lakh students studying from classes VI to VIII in govt schools. The govt will provide skill development training to 1.25 lakh teachers to enhance student learning outcomes at a cost of 28 crore.

"Govt school teachers will be honoured with a certificate of appreciation if they achieve 100% pass in Class X and XII exams. Achievers from govt schools will be appointed as school ambassadors," Poyyamozhi said. He announced the opening of 13 new primary schools and the upgradation of four primary schools, 14 middle schools, and 20 high schools.

Further, the school education department will introduce life skills and value education modules for all classes at a cost of 25 lakh.

During his reply, Poyyamozhi urged Union govt to release 2,152 crore under the Samagra Shiksha scheme that is due to the state.