With the state government’s ultimatum on withholding salaries in case of poor results in SSLC examinations, the teachers in private aided schools are going out of their way to ensure good results this time.
Just weeks ahead of the commencement of the SSLC exams in the state, several of these schools have started conducting special classes for students to give their performance a boost.
It may be recollected that the government had to withdraw its order which stated that vacancies in a school would be filled only if the the school’s pass per centage is higher than that of the district in which it is located. However, following the opinion that such a measure would adversely affect the students at such schools, the government recalled the order.
A revised order, however, laid down several regulations for aided school teachers. Primary among these was that a teacher has to ensure a minimum 60% pass in his/her respective subject failing which their salaries, grant-in-aid and promotions would be withheld. If the same level of
performance continues for more than three years, the government has said that their grant-in-aid will have to be returned.
A member of a management of an aided schools said that the order has only led to lot of pressure on teachers. “A lot of factors contribute to overall percentage. This includes the availability of infrastructure and teaching tools. Building unnecessary pressure on teachers will serve no purpose,” the member said.
Meanwhile, Paramesh, taluk president, Karnataka Private Aided Schools Association said, “The pressure is such that several of our teachers are conducting extra classes to prepare students for SSLC exams. Giving them a push has become essential as teacher’s salaries will now be dependent on result,” he said.
He added that the deputy directors of public instruction in their respective areas have started identifying such teachers who have not met these norms and have issued show-cause notice to them.
“Some teachers are aware of the situation and officials have informed them that if similar situation continues, they would have to face consequences,” he said.
The revised order also states that if 50% of students do not pass in the exams, funds released towards salaries to schools would be withdrawn.