Karnataka schools get notices for poor SSLC results, teachers cite systemic issues

Bengaluru: The department of school education and literacy has begun issuing show-cause notices to headmasters and headmistresses (HMs) of govt and aided schools across Karnataka, pulling them up for poor SSLC-1 results.
The move comes as part of a wider drive to improve academic performance in state-run institutions.
Schools where the pass percentage has fallen below the state average of 60% have been served notices, demanding explanations for the poor outcomes.
It was seen from the results that they did not take adequate measures to improve the academic performance of the students and "this reflects negligence and dereliction of duty," the notice stated, directing the HMs to respond within seven days.
The move follows a directive from chief minister Siddaramaiah, who recently emphasised the need for accountability among officials for underperformances of schools.
The department has also gone a step further with aided schools. District deputy directors of public instruction (DDPIs) have been told to identify subject-wise teachers whose results fell below 60% and withhold their annual increments. If a subject continues to record poor results for three consecutive years, salary grants for those teachers will be stopped.
Aided high schools that fail to achieve a minimum 50% pass rate in SSLC exams for five years in a row stand to lose govt funding altogether.
"All field-level education officers must monitor compliance with these conditions and submit a follow-up report after SSLC results each year," a circular directed.
While the crackdown has been welcomed in some quarters, many teachers argue that it unfairly targets them while ignoring systemic issues.
"There's a huge shortage of teachers. By the time we get students in high school, they often lack even basic reading and writing skills. We're expected to build everything from scratch. Yet, we're the ones being blamed," a govt school teacher said.
Education experts and teacher associations are calling for a more holistic approach. "Teachers should be freed from non-academic work. Basic infrastructure and resources must be prioritised.
Above all, filling vacant teacher posts must be the first step if results are to improve," Manjunath HK, former president of the Karnataka State High School Teachers Association, said.
Responding to the criticism, commissioner Trilok Chandra KV said the department is open to hearing the HMs' issues. "Let them send their explanations, and we will consider them accordingly," he said.
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3 weeks into academic year, students yet to get shoes and socks
Times News Network
Bengaluru: Nearly three weeks after the start of the new academic year, govt and aided schools across Karnataka are still awaiting funds to provide shoes and socks to their students.
The academic year began on May 29, and while students received textbooks and uniforms on time, the promised footwear is yet to arrive. With no clarity on when the items will be distributed, students are either reusing old pairs — if they can still fit in — or are turning up at school in sandals, slippers or even barefooted.
"We are expecting the govt order to be issued this week. The money will be transferred directly to the school development and monitoring committees (SDMCs).
We had sent the proposal to the govt a long time ago," said Trilok Chandra KV, commissioner, department of school education and literacy.
Last year, the govt had sanctioned around Rs 121 crore to distribute shoes and socks to over 42 lakh students in classes 1 to 10. Depending on the grade, the expenditure per child ranged between Rs 265 and Rs 325.
However, the delays in releasing funds have once again highlighted the apathy towards public school children.
"Due to heavy rainfall this year, many children are suffering without proper footwear. Some are forced to attend classes in torn shoes or barefooted," Ajay Kamath, state secretary, All India Democratic Students Organisation (Aidso), said.
Teachers echoed similar concerns. "Students were asked to buy one pair of shoes and two pairs of socks. But with the meagre budget last year, SDMCs could only afford poor-quality footwear. Those are already worn out. Most students now come in slippers or sandals," a govt school teacher in Bengaluru, said.

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