BENGALURU:In line with the famous saying which was presented in the Hindi film Hichki, “There are no bad students, only bad teachers”, the state Department of Primary and Secondary Education is punishing teachers of private aided schools by withholding their salaries for the poor performance of their students in the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examinations.
A circular has been issued asking Deputy Directors of Public Instruction (DDPI) to submit a list of such schools and the number of teachers whose salaries for June are to be withheld. The circular states that teachers belonging to aided schools where SSLC results of the last five years have been lesser than the district average will lose their salaries.
According to department officials, as the salaries of the teachers at private aided schools is paid by the state government, this is the only way to initiate action against such schools which are affecting the overall pass percentage.
The teachers, however, demanded that the department withdraw this circular. They say it is not the right way to treat them and put unnecessary pressure on them. “There are all kinds of students. Some are fast learners and some are slow. We tried our best to prepare them. How is it our fault if they failed to perform?” a teacher asked. Teachers added that such actions will either force them to quit the profession or indulge in malpractice.
Even elected representatives have opposed this measure. MLC Arun Shahapur said, “This step has been taken even after the matter was discussed on the floor of the House, where it was instructed not to hold teachers’ salaries. We will take this up with the Chief Minister.”