Coimbatore: The School Education Department has launched a new initiative, Future Ready, for government school students from classes 1 to 9.

Under the programme, monthly assessment tests will be conducted in English, Mathematics, Science, and General Knowledge. Questions will be designed to encourage higher-order thinking based on the subject matter studied by students in the previous year.

The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) will prepare the questions and send them to schools through the District Teacher Training Institutes. Headmasters will be responsible for downloading the materials and conducting the tests through subject teachers.

In English, thinking-based questions and general knowledge queries will be designed separately. Mathematics, Science, and English assessments will be handled by the respective subject teachers, while General Knowledge questions will be conducted by the class teacher. Headmasters are instructed to monitor the process every month.

The initiative aims to equip students to face competitive exams, aptitude tests, and skill assessments confidently in the future. Officials said it would enhance students' retention of learned concepts, strengthen critical thinking, and reduce exam-related anxiety.

The department has also emphasised holistic development beyond textbooks, encouraging field trips, cultural activities, arts, games, and soft skill development.

Activities like storytelling, drama, music, and crafts, along with sports, will help improve leadership, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. Teachers and district officials will review and discuss the initiative during inspections and consultation meetings.

Educators said the programme is expected to benefit students not only in higher education but also in building skills necessary for future employment and personal growth.