BENGALURU: A Kannada teacher in a private school had to submit his resignation on Friday after a question he had set for Class 8 final examination, held in March first week, went viral and invited stinging comments. The question was: “Who is a farmer’s friend?” and the options were: HD Kumaraswamy, B S Yeddyuurappa, or earthworm.
The question was set by a Class 8 teacher of Mount Carmel English High School located at Raja Rajeshwari Nagar for third language Kannada, and dealt with ‘Raithara mitra’ (farmer’s friend), based on a chapter in the syllabus for the students. The correct answer is ‘earthworm’.However, the question paper went viral with several caustic comments stating how even earthworms were better than politicians.
Several others questioned the school for posing such a question with options carrying names of the present and former chief ministers. The manner in which the options were presented, many felt, suggested that even earthworms were better than the leaders named.The school initially did defend the question, saying the options were deliberately given in such a manner to confuse the children while testing their knowledge.
Kumaraswamy is known to often remark that he is the ‘Son of the Soil’, while Yeddyurappa is known for projecting himself to have grown up from a farmers’ movement. The school, however, later realised that its reputation could take a hit with the question and the name of the school going viral on social media.
Teachers take moral responsibility
The school management clarified, such “mistakes” will not be repeated by the institution.
Considering the impact of the question going viral and with it being discussed on social media platforms, the teacher who had set the paper, took responsibility for what was made to appear as a “mistake”, and submitted his resignation.
The question was, understandably, set in the background of the recent political debates about farm loan waivers, and on which political party had emerged as being farmer-friendly. The tweak was about offering ‘earthworm’ as an option, as these worms are known to loosen the soil while burrowing into it, which makes it easier for the farmers to plough land before sowing seeds.School principal Raghavendra said, “Taking responsibility for the damage done to the school’s name, the teacher himself has submitted his resignation.”