Brainstorming game Chess compulsory in Tamil Nadu schools

Chennai, Jan 4: The Tamil Nadu government has adopted the strategy of making Chess a compulsory game in all schools in the state. The government's intention behind this decision is to encourage the talent of students especially of the children who stay in the "educationally backward" districts.

Additional Chief Secretary to government, TS Sridhar said, "It (the chess programme) will give children in the seven to 17 age group an opportunity to test their skills. Training will be given to physical education teachers and one or two others in each school so they can train the children."

It has been reported that the strategy, which would be applicable from the next educational year, has been adopted following the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa's announcement in Aug 2011 to start the practice in all government and government-aided schools.

The president of World Chess Federation, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov had met Jayalalithaa last year and it is believed that the state government was inspired by "chess in schools" organised by the federation.

It can be recollected that Gujarat was the first Indian state which adopted the strategy to make Chess compulsory in schools to encourage and to identify students' hidden talents.

OneIndia News