Poor results 8212; DEO targets schools

SURAT, Sept 9: Apart from students, poor results will soon become a cause of concern for schools. The district education department has d...

SURAT, Sept 9: Apart from students, poor results will soon become a cause of concern for schools. The district education department has decided to crack the whip on those government-aided schools that have been having a poor pass percentage in the secondary board examinations over the past few years.

Department officials will intensify inspections and surprise visits in 40-odd that have consistently had less than 35 per cent pass rate.

The decision comes in the wake of a State government directive. Schools that have been receiving grants but have not been performing satisfactorily face derecognition and even termination of aid if they do not show marked improvement soon.

Of the 40 schools identified, about 20 have an SSC pass percentage below 20, while others manage upto 35 per cent. While most of these schools are in the rural parts of the district, a few are located in Surat city, the district headquarters.

According to the District Education Office, only 20 per cent the 380 aided schools in the district have been registering a low pass percentage, while about 25 per cent have been getting more than 60 per cent pass rate.

Talking to Express Newsline, District Education Officer P N Dave said while all aided schools would continue to be inspected, the 40-odd schools would come in for special attention.

8220;We have categorised the schools on the basis of last year8217;s SSC exam performance and are taking steps to improve performance of those doing badly,8221; Dave said. 8220;Though this is regular procedure, the difference this time is that the State government itself has adopted a tough stance over schools that have been failing to perform well.8221;

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According to information, the education department here had divided all aided schools of the district under six sections: A, B, C, D, E and X, based on their pass percentage. Those getting good results are classified under A8217;, while those with the lowest pass per centage are grouped under X8217;. The lower rung schools will be helped to enhance their performance, while the ones that continue to perform badly will be penalised.

While the grants to these schools are in the tune of lakhs of rupees, a major chunk of the grants is spent on salaries of the teachers, who are instrumental in the final result that the schools secure.