Tamil Nadu education dept sites display outdated info, no staff for updation, say officials

Chennai

The School Education Department has several websites, including that of Tamil Nadu State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), the nodal agency for developing textbook curriculum; Directorate of Elementary Education, Directorate of Matriculation Schools, and among others. However, due to lockdown, students and parents could not get any latest information concerning academic activities related to these sites. The last uploaded information in the official portal was in March that reads, “CBSE postpones the ongoing board exams across India and abroad for Classes 10 and 12”. Similarly, the last uploaded press release was about the notification from the Directorate of Examinations in February concerning issuing of hall tickets for Class 11 and 12 private candidates, who appear for board exams. Likewise, the last updated information in the SCERT’s website was about study materials related to different standards, in mid-2019. Besides, the portal also carries the name of its director, who was transferred to another department almost a year ago.

A senior official from the Directorate of School Education, seeking anonymity, told DT Next that with lack of staff due to the lockdown, no new information could be posted in the websites. “It will be updated once the full workforce is available,” he added. According to him, all the latest information have been sent through a circular to all the schools, including private institutions so that management would inform the students.