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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Mass failures: Teachers given the boot; one shunted, seven transferred
Pudukottai: The mass failure of students at the Aranthangi Govt Model Boys School in Pudukottai in board exams has sparked disciplinary action against teachers of the school. The district education office has suspended one teacher for consuming alcohol on campus and transferred seven others for negligence that directly contributed to the poor academic performance, where more than 40% of students failed to make it past the line. While the seven teachers were transferred for 'failing' in their duty to help students pass, the suspended teacher was also found to be irregular to classes due to his drinking habit and was described as a 'hindrance' to the academic growth of students in the suspension order. "There has been a thorough inquiry, and we found that the vocational teacher had attended classes in an inebriated state multiple times and had also consumed alcohol on campus," chief educational officer K Shanmugam told TOI. Sources also said the action was not solely due to the results but also stemmed from 'blatant' negligence of duty—such as irregular attendance, frequently being distracted by their phones during class hours, and even running personal businesses from within the campus. The disciplinary measures follow an inquiry ordered by the district education authorities on May 19 to ascertain why an unusually high number of students had failed en masse. The orders, issued on June 6 and handed over to the teachers on Monday, include various streams, including chemistry, history, commerce, mathematics, science, and agriculture. Among them, three held undergraduate degrees and four were postgraduates. The former headmaster retired on May 31, and the school is currently being overseen by an in-charge HM deputed from Avudaiyarkoil school. Aranthangi MLA ST Ramachandran, who had also been part of the inquiry, welcomed the move. "A WhatsApp group has been created—including locals, parents, SMC members, and education officials—to monitor the situation from now on. Hopefully, many students will clear the supplementary exams soon. This should be a wake-up call. I hope things take a turn for the better," he told TOI. The poor performance drew attention after 107 of the 256 students who appeared for the Class XII board exams failed, while 99 out of 240 Class XI students also did not clear the exams. In Class X, 36 out of 107 students failed as well.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
40% students in class XII, XI, X fail in govt model school
Pudukottai: A govt model boys high school in Pudukottai's Aranthangi has reported only 60% pass among students from classes X, XI, and XII, leaving district officials scrambling for reasons for the en mass failure. Official sources said 107 of the 256 students who appeared for Class XII board exams failed, while 99 out of 240 Class XII students also did not clear the exams. The latest Class X results show that 36 out of 107 students failed as well. The overall pass percentage has plummeted from the 80s last year to 60% and below, with a total of 242 students failing this year. Last year, 82% passed in class XII, 87% in class X and 84% in class XI in the govt model school. The average pass percentage in the district this year was 92.55% for class XII, 93.53% for class X and 87.8% for class XI. Chief educational officer K Shanmugam said a detailed review would be conducted. "It's quite unusual for so many students to fail, especially since the situation appeared different before the exams. In the monthly reviews submitted by the school prior to the board exams, there was no indication that the pass percentage would drop so drastically. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 7 Mahalaxmi by Runwal Enterprises starting from 4.07 Cr* 7 Mahalaxmi Book Now Undo We will revisit those reports on Monday to identify where the gaps lie," he said. Parents of students who failed were left baffled. "My son was never a top student, but I at least expected him to pass. The school should have identified weaknesses and offered more special classes to help such students," said a parent of a Class XII student. School officials assured that they are taking steps to support the affected students. "We are encouraging students who failed to apply for the re-exam on June 25, and attend special coaching classes we will be offering. The headmaster is expected to visit a few homes to personally motivate the students," said a school official. Meanwhile, Aranthangi MLA S T Ramachandran conducted an emergency inquiry with school officials and directed them to take immediate corrective measures. "This result is indefensible, and accountability is necessary. I told the teachers the buck must stop somewhere, and urged them to rework the 'model' of this model school, which has now gained a bad reputation. I am also closely coordinating efforts to ensure that these students clear their supplementary exams," he told TOI.
New Indian Express
25-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
‘Extend CM's breakfast, ban social media for students'
CHENNAI: Request to extend Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme up to Class 8, a ban on social media for students, and ensuring timely issuance of free bus passes to students were some of the key demands made by the MLAs during a discussion on budget demand for school and higher education departments in the Assembly on Thursday. CPM MLA M Chinnadurai said the breakfast scheme has been widely welcomed by people and appealed to the CM to extend it up to Class 8 in government and aided schools. Besides urging to ensure issuance of free bus pass on the first day of every academic year, he also appealed to the government to increase the distance eligible for availing of bus pass to 40 kilometres. Congress MLA ST Ramachandran spoke on the need to protect children from adverse impact of the social media. Stating that countries like Australia have imposed severe restrictions on use of such platforms by children aged below 16, he said the state should consider a ban on platforms, especially Instagram and Snapchat, for this age group. Former Higher Education Minister and AIADMK MLA KP Anbalagan alleged the number of students enrolling in higher education institutions is on the decline. Minister Govi Chezhiaan, however, pointed out various measures being taken to boost enrolment.
