While the first batch of class X students following the Samacheer Kalvi syllabus is gearing up to take the board examination, some students among them have been asked not to sit for the examination citing “poor academic performance.”
The pressure to perform is generally prevalent among private schools that seek to improve their image. But schools run by the Chennai Corporation are increasingly becoming result-oriented, particularly after students going to them set an impressive track record in the last few years. While schools celebrate their ‘100 per cent pass' achievement, in teachers say they are forced to resort to “other means” to achieve this.
On the third floor of a building lives Shafia (name changed) who did not go to school on Monday. “We had classes, but what is the point of going there when I will not write the examination this year,” says the girl who has been asked to write the examination next year.
“They took my photograph but did not give the hall ticket. This is the second consecutive year I am being asked not to write the examination. Last year, they told me I did not have sufficient attendance. This year, I had adequate attendance, but my teacher said I will do well only if I take the examination next year.”
Her mother, who supplies samosas to nearby tea shops says, “My husband and I are both illiterate, and we were hoping to provide education at least to our children. We went to the school and pleaded with them many times. They said that she can write the examination next year.”
It is not that teachers are unaware of the backgrounds from which most of their students come from. But the pressure on them leaves them with no choice but to detain some students.
“Most students lack support from their parents and we are the sole source of encouragement. They also overcome a lot of issues at home and finally come to school. It is really sad that we have to resort to such measures,” a teacher said.
However, when teachers attribute students' performance to their difficult home environment, officials are quick to blame the teachers for their poor teaching.
A teacher admitted that many like her were increasingly compelling weak students to drop out in Class IX. “That will save us some trouble when they come to Class X,” she adds.
Another teacher points out that teachers often do not keep track of the students until they come to Class VIII. “In Class IX, students often do not know even the basics. When they are in Class IX teachers feel the pressure and students in turn become victims,” says another teacher.
Officials, however, say that the teacher is not held responsible for poor performance by students. “There are several reasons for a student to perform poorly. We make sure that a school retains it pass percentage and students' performance does not fall drastically the following year. For this, we have continuous review of schools,” says the official.
