In what is percieved as the first of many changes that is to come in Tamil Nadu's education system, the education department has said that the first three ranks in the state board exams will not be announced. Normally, the department announces names of three rank holders 

 

This announcement comes on a day when a panel is meeting in Chennai to discuss the necessary reforms in education in the state. The decision reportedly comes after 20 years of educationalists demanding that the announcement of ranks be stopped. This was allegedly making the entire education system a form of business and removing the focus from gaining knowledge and placing it on procuring marks. 

 

The state education minister has made this decision a day ahead of the 12th standard state board results in Tamil Nadu. "The first three ranks will not be announced because students these days are mentally affected even if they lose a mark. So, even parents won't pressurise students too much. This will make sure that imparting knowledge is the focus of our educational institutes," said Education Minister Sengottaiyan following the four and a half hour meeting.

 

The minister further announced that a scheme will be started to aid students from Tamil medium schools, who have performed well.

 

The decision to scrap the announcement of ranks was met with mixed reactions from educationalists. "This is a great announcement because exams are meant for students to test themselves. Giving ranks makes no sense. This move will reduce unnecessary competition and stop education from becoming a trade," said educationist Prince Gajendra Babu to Puthiya Thalaimurai. 

 

Other educationalists and even child psychologists however claim that this move has its positives and negatives. They claim that the motivation to do well stems from recognition. The decision to not recognise top performers, they claim, will leave these students dejected.

 

Meanwhile, the education minister is yet to announce a decision regarding several key matters including - revision of the syllabus and board exams for students in the eleventh standard. It is speculated that even if a decision is made, it will only be implemented from the academic year of 2018-2019