While the Tamil Nadu government, in line with the Centre’s education policy, had recently announced board examination for Class V and Class VIII students from the coming academic session, a senior official from the School Education department told DT Next that in order to develop science skills at a young age, experts had suggested to conduct Science practical examination along with the boards for Class VIII students. At present, Science students from Class X are awarded 25 marks in practical test.

“Science is totally different from any other subject, and in order to understand its concepts, students should look beyond the books and conventional classroom teaching even at the middle school level,” the official said.

Stating that it was also believed that laboratory teaching and experiments in labs help encourage deep understanding in children, the official said authorities from the School Education department are therefore in the process of introducing lab activities for Class VIII students so that they get a first-hand learning experience by performing various experiments throughout the year on their own.

According to the official, a committee comprising experts, teachers and academicians will be formed to come out with simple lab experiments that are relevant to the students. The official also pointed out that the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has also designed Science laboratory manuals for students of Classes VI to VIII.