The Department of School Education has informed that the 10th class students studying in all kinds of schools including CBSE in Tamil Nadu will have to write the Tamil subject examination from the coming academic year.
There is a law in Tamil Nadu which makes Tamil subject compulsory in all types of schools till class 10th. Accordingly, in the academic year 2015–16, Tamil became a compulsory subject in class I in all types of schools. Subsequently, in the academic year 2016–17, Tamil subject became compulsory for class 2 and for subsequent classes in subsequent academic years. Accordingly, in the academic year 2023-24, Tamil became a compulsory subject up to class 9.
Meanwhile, Tamil will become compulsory in class 10 in the coming academic year 2024-25. This applies not only to state curriculum schools but to all types of schools including CBSE and ICSE operating in Tamil Nadu. These students must write Tamil as an exam in the general examination as well. According to the school education department, the exam pattern and syllabus will be published soon.
Meanwhile, according to the survey conducted by the School Education Department, there are about 6,000 students whose mother tongue is not Tamil in CBSI schools.
The issue of making Tamil subject compulsory in Class 10 was also discussed in a recent study meeting chaired by School Education Department Secretary Kumaraguruparan. Also, schools running under other education boards have been instructed by the school education department to carry out the necessary work to prepare the students for the examination.
