Perform or perish was the clear message sent out by the UT Education department to schools with poor results,at a meeting held at Tagore Theatre on Saturday. In view of the poor performance of government schools in the board examination this year,the officials also discussed damage-control strategies during the meeting,which was chaired by UT Home Secretary,Ram Niwas. Director Public Instructions (Schools) Samwartak Singh also gave his inputs at the stock-taking meet where over 100 principals were questioned for the poor show in this years CBSE examination. While the department decided to honour students,teachers and principals who have brought laurels with a good score,it also gave a warning to schools that fared badly this year. We have told principals in no uncertain terms that they will have to pull up their socks and improve the academic standards. They have been given a time of three months to show signs of progress. Teachers and principals failing to meet the expectations will be either suspended or demoted. It may also lead to premature retirement, Singh said. He added that a note regarding the performance will be added in the Annual Confidential Reports (ACRS) of teachers. The worst performers in the Class X and XII examination were Government Senior Secondary School,Maloya,Government High School,Sector 45,GSSS (Girls),Sector 23 and GSSS Kaimbwala. Realising the need to have adequate staff,the department has also decided to fill the over 500 vacancies of teachers with immediate effect. Schools have also been asked to conduct extra classes for compartment students and monitor the homework given. Other issues that were discussed included mid-day meals,mainstreaming of students in AIE centres and timely provision of textbooks and uniforms.
