The State government has amended regulations of the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) Board in a bid to prevent teachers from absenting themselves from evaluation of SSLC exam papers.
Absenteeism from evaluation would henceforth be deemed “dereliction of duty” under the Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board First Regulations, 1966. Annually, an estimated 30 per cent of teachers absent themselves from evaluation work, which has resulted in delay in announcement of results.
Part of their work
“Valuation of answer scripts is part of academic activity and it is the duty of every headmaster or assistant master of a government or aided or unaided high school to attend the valuation work whenever he is appointed by the board,” the amended rules stipulate. A teacher can get exemption only in the event of a serious illness, with prior permission of the Deputy Director of Public Instruction. Absenteeism without permission would be dereliction of duty and will attract disciplinary action.
The new regulations also apply to managements of unaided high schools that do not relieve the headmaster or assistant master to attend evaluation work. They would face disciplinary action, including withdrawal of recognition.
More teeth
SSLC Board Director D. Venkateshaiah said that while teachers absenting themselves from evaluation work have been facing disciplinary action, the amended regulations make the powers stronger.
