When it comes to learning outcomes, there is no yardstick to measure the quality of education in government schools. As the SSLC results show, 268 government schools had 100% pass, while five government schools did not have a single student who cleared the exam.
Overall, the number of schools with cent percent results declined from 1,569 last year to 924 this year. Schools with zero pass rose from 52% last year to 60% in 2017. This wide gap points to the lack of standardisation in the quality of education, say experts, who argue that the onus is on the government to ensure that all students have access to infrastructure and good teachers. The Hindu takes a look at some of the schools that surpassed all expectations, and those that have to pull up their socks.
Schools with zero pass
Despite having infrastructure, including a playground for students, the Government Urdu Model High School in Neelasandara here recorded zero pass this year. Officially, the school does not have a single teacher on its rolls. Teachers are deputed from other high schools to conduct classes. A student, who failed in the SSLC exam, said that though he had cleared the core subjects, he had failed in English by four marks. While the poor performance of Government Urdu Model High School points to the lack of teaching resources, another school had a low outcome because it catered to children with special needs.
The Karnataka Handicap Welfare Association High School is not a government school, but the management felt that the board exam did not cater to children with special needs. All eight students here, who have hearing impairment, failed because of the design of the SSLC exam.
“The problem lies in evaluation. Considering the special nature of students that we deal with, the questions are too tough. I have sent two papers for re-evaluation,” a school management representative told The Hindu . Last year, the same school saw a pass percentage of 50. The school also has a placement cell, counselling centre and all the teachers have undergone a teachers’ training course recognised by the Rehabilitation Council of India.
Schools that stand proud
Five years ago, the Government High School at Bhyranayakanahalli in Nelamangala taluk of Bangalore Rural District, which has a student strength of 111, planted 51 teak trees. Today, trees are growing tall and proud, and the students too hold their heads high.
This year, the school secured a 100% result with all the 28 students passing the SSLC exam with flying colours. Of them, five got distinction and 22 first class.
Ravi Kumar V., physical education teacher, said: “It is the dedication, focus and active participation from both faculty and students that has helped us achieve this feat.” There are seven faculty members, six of whom have master’s degree. The science teacher has a Ph.D. There is a home-like atmosphere for both the faculty as well as the students. The school is my heart,” he said.
Sri Moraji Desai residential school in Chamarajpet is another school that stands as proof that government schools can also provide quality education. All 26 students who answered the SSLC exam passed. School principal Leela G. said: “This kind of result was possible because of the hard work of students and teachers.”
( Reporting by Malavika Anupraj, Shreya Prasad, Shubhashree Rajendra, and Jayasimha K.R. )
