The Tamil Nadu government is yet to come out with the specific method it is going to adopt with regard to the burnt answer-sheets. It may be recalled Over twelve thousand answer sheets of English II paper of Tenth Standard students of Villupuram area were gutted in a fire in Vellore a week ago..

Of course, the Minister for Education had announced in the assembly that these students will not have to take the exam again. No re-exam. However, students, teachers and parents are still ignorant of what solution the Minister has in mind. Unless this is answered, confusion is bound to prevail. Teachers feel that re-exam is the proper solution.

Ten years back, when plus 2 physics answer sheets were being transported, they fell off from the running train, were caught in the wheels of the train and were totally damaged. At that time, re-exam was ordered.

Last year, the exam for the Social sciences was scheduled for April 4. It was found that in Theni, the room in which the question papers were kept was opened and a few question papers were stolen. Question papers were set again and exams were held on April1 14.

In Vellore, English II answer sheets were gutted. It is learnt that the Government is considering awarding marks to these students on the basis of marks obtained by them in the quarterly and half-yearly exams. Teachers feel that this would generate more problems than it can solve. Most of the students would start preparing vigorously only just before the final exam. Thus, this doesn't seem to be the proper solution.

There is another school of thought that believes that the marks obtained in Paper I can be the basis for awarding marks to Paper II. This would also be a faulty method, since many students might have done the Paper II much better than the paper I.

It is high time the Government took a decision in the burning issue without wasting further time.