"Who will take responsibility if students test COVID +ve and die?" MHC asks TN govt

Amidst increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Tamil Nadu, school education department of state had anunced dates for 10th standard public exams, starting from June 1st to 12th, which, after demand and fear from parents and teachers were postponed from to June 15 - 25th.

Despite pushing dates for two more weeks and as number of cases continues in state day by day, many teacher associations and parents demanded that exams should t be conducted right w keeping safety of students in mind as cases are alarmingly getting high in state.

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Opposition leader MK Stalin also demanded that government should cancel 10th exams and that government cant play with lives of students and teachers who are going to take exams. Meanwhile, MHC heard a PIL which was filed against decision of government to conduct exams for 10th students amidst this chaos.

'How can lives be put at risk?'

Court has asked a number of questions to state government on conduct of 10th exams, Court asked as "Who will be responsible if any class 10 student tests positive and dies for corona?"  judges also asked,  "How can lives of 9 lakh students and 2 lakh teachers be put in risk?"

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Tamil Nadu government responded by on and argued, "This is right time to conduct 10th board exams as infection rate is estimated to go up severely in Tamil Nadu in coming days." AG of TN govt also informed court that
Govt has made all safety measures to conduct exams.  exam halls will be sanitized thoroughly and students will be given masks while writing exams

After hearing arguments, court adjourned crucial hearing to 11th of June.

"Why is government adamant? Are exams important than life of 9 lakh students and teachers? students can't even exam peaceful at this point of time, it's t possible to maintain social distancing rms with students during exams," said teacher's association president.

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Amidst all discourse, Telangana cabinet has decided to promote all 10th standard students without conducting exams at all. "A state with just 3,650 cases has promoted all 10th std students without conducting exams, is it right to conduct exams in a state where re are 33,229 cases? govt need t listen to us, let m atleast following Telangana Chief minister" asked DMK president MK Stalin in a tweet.

Chief Minister, Edapadi Palanisamy is set to have a meeting with school education minister KA Sengottiyan on Tuesday regarding this lingering issue.

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