Tamil Nadu begins textbook sales with revised syllabus

Copies of textbooks printed by Tamil Nadu Text Book and Educational Services Corporation (TNTBESC) were distributed across the state through online, DPI centres, retail sales counters and licensed retailers. “I went early in the morning to the DPI complex to purchase the new textbooks. It was easy because there were not so many people then,” P Kavitha, a Class 9 student from Nungambakkam said. Though the textbooks will be distributed in the schools from June 1, Kavitha said she was eager to buy it and decided to go to the DPI centre. TNTBESC had already started selling books for Classes 2, 3, 5, 8 and 12 with the old syllabus last week itself. The government has set up more than 250 Common Service Centres (CSC) throughout Tamil Nadu, including 10 in Chennai, to help the students to buy new textbooks. A senior official from TNTBESC said these CSC centres have also started a facility to deliver books at the doorsteps based on the orders placed by students. 

The Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education (TNSCHE) has coordinated with universities to set up University Business Collaboration Centres (UBCC).

These Centres have been acting as an academia-industry interface to facilitate internships, industry-sponsored research projects, consultancy services and also for placement support. 

Sources from TNSCHE said that they are collaborating with University of Madras, Alagappa University, Bharathidasan University, Bharathiyar University, Madurai Kamaraj University and Manonmaniam Sundaranar University. These UBCCs help build tie-ups with industries, enable placements and encourage participation of industries through internships and campus placements. 

TANSCHE has already established soft skill centres in 62 government arts and science colleges to provide computer literacy, communication skills, personality development and interview skills to prepare them for jobs. 

As the response of students has been very encouraging, the TANSCHE has also been implementing the scheme to provide special care for slow learners and prevent dropout by arranging coaching and remedial classes in six government arts and science colleges and 18 university constituent colleges.