The Tamil Nadu School Education Department has directed all school headteachers not to conduct special classes during the quarterly examination holiday period, cautioning that they will be held personally responsible if the directive is violated and any untoward incident occurs. The order affects schools across all categories in the state.

Examination Schedule and Holiday Window

Students following the Tamil Nadu state syllabus are sitting their quarterly examinations from 16 September to 25 September. A holiday has been declared for all school categories from 26 September to 4 October, giving students a break of nearly ten days after their exams conclude.

Why the Warning Was Issued

The directive is particularly aimed at students in Classes 10 and 12, for whom schools have historically arranged special coaching sessions during quarterly breaks — ostensibly to boost preparation for board examinations. The department's order makes clear that such sessions will not be permitted during the declared holiday, regardless of the academic pressure associated with board classes. Headteachers have been told that any violation placing a student at risk will attract direct personal accountability.

What Teachers Must Do Instead

Rather than calling students to school, subject teachers have been instructed to advise pupils to attempt assignment question papers at home during the break. Teachers are also expected to guide students to study one subject per day, ensuring structured self-directed revision without the need for classroom sessions. The department said this approach is designed to ease post-examination pressure on students while keeping their academic momentum intact.

Additional Restrictions for Students

The circular also states that students should not undertake any trips during the break. The combined effect of the directives — no school special classes, no outstation travel — reflects a deliberate effort by the department to ensure the holiday functions as a genuine rest period for pupils ahead of the second term.

Compliance and Accountability

Headteachers are required to ensure all teaching staff adhere to the holiday directive. The department's warning underlines that the declared break must be observed even at government schools where extra coaching for board examination students would ordinarily be scheduled. The circular signals a broader intent to protect student well-being after examination periods and to enforce declared holidays in letter and spirit.