Tamil Nadu school association seeks law protecting teachers and school property

The School Voice Association submitted 11 demands to Tamil Nadu’s government, including legislation protecting teachers, staff and school buildings, at an education conference in Chennai on October 10.

The association sought a single-window system to reduce administrative work, including admissions under the Right to Education Act, the Education Management Information System and compliance requirements.

It proposed standardised assessments in Classes 3, 5 and 8 to identify learning gaps and guide intervention. It also requested a 75% attendance requirement in Classes 9, 10, 11 and 12 for board-exam eligibility. These were association proposals, rather than newly announced government rules.

Other demands concerned parent-school cooperation, student safety and digital awareness. The Times of India separately reported the calls for protection from violence and less paperwork.

School Voice and YMCA Madras organised the conference. The Hindu reported that at least 500 private-school teachers and principals were honoured. Awards went to 450 schools through the School Voice Iconic Edu Excellence Award-2026, six educationists through the Global Edu Excellence Award and 26 through the School Voice Award of Excellence.

Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar praised Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and described the government as corruption-free, an assessment he made in his speech. He also credited live Assembly broadcasts with encouraging young people’s interest in government. Private Schools Director S. Suganya and organisation leaders attended.