PUDUKKOTTAI: Hailed once as a model government institution in the district, Aranthangi Government Model Higher Secondary School for Boys has found itself in the midst of an academic collapse, as 242 of its students across classes 10, 11 and 12 failed in the board examinations in 2024-2025.
In Class 12, 107 of the 264 students from the school failed, bringing the pass percentage down to 59.49% from 82% last year. The Class 10 pass percentage dipped by 21% -- from 87% to 66% -- as only 71 of the 107 students passed. In Class 11, 99 out of 240 students failed.
The board exam results have led to outrage from the parents, many of whom blamed the school management. Alleging the management of lack of supervision, one Illayaraja, a parent from Ratnanakottai, said, "My son scored 360 in Class 10, but failed Class 11 last year, and in English in Class 12 this year. The school doesn't conduct special classes."
V Mariappan, a mason, said, "My son, who was regular to school, has failed in three subjects. The school had not warned us of his academic performance."
Contrarily, the teachers alleged that the students were "aggressive and uncooperative."
A senior teacher said, "Many are addicted to tobacco and alcohol. We even involved the police for counselling," alleging that nearly 80 students were "irregular and wrote only one or two exams."
Headmaster Sekar said the school staff would help the students who failed to apply for supplementary exams and conduct special coaching classes in the coming weeks.
Pudukkottai chief education officer K Shanmugam claimed, "The school has misled us. The marks submitted by the management for monthly tests were relatively good, but we suspect they were inflated." The CEO added that an inspection would be carried out at the school on Monday, and appropriate action would be taken.
Aranthangi MLA T Ramachandran convened an emergency meeting on Thursday. Calling for a probe, he told TNIE, "We cannot abandon 240 children. It's about their future. The school's explanation is unacceptable."