Criteria for class IX promotions set in

Updated on: Saturday, May 12, 2012

Easy walkovers from IX to X standard, at least in government-run or aided schools are over. A meeting of school heads, convened by the District Education Officer (DEO) on Friday decided to allow schools in Coimbatore to withhold those having attendance below 50%, and marks below 30% from being promoted to Class X.

Officials who spoke at the meeting clarified that the Right to Education Act mandates 'all promotion' only till Class VIII.

The headmaster of a corporation school, who attended the meeting, said he was relieved by the fact that officials have allowed schools to fail prolonged absentee students, and those with poor scores.

He said they were told that they could fail those scoring less than 25% in the quarterly, mid-year and annual examinations. "This may need the permission of officials in the education department, but we hope to streamline some students who cannot be taught," he said.

R Balamurali, the DEO (District Education Officer) of Coimbatore education district, said schools can consider failing class IX students with severe shortages in attendance and marks.

Teachers said that last year, all class IX students were to be promoted. "This caused problems in the schools, especially those within city limits," a headmasterstated. He said the promotion of irregular students affected the morale of others.

"Junior students feel they can pass without studying or attending classes," he said. He also pointed out that as their students come mostly from lower middle class families as first generation learners, their families cannot guide them.

However, teachers of schools outside city limits, said they do not have students who fit the fail criteria. Theresa A, headmistress of St Joseph's Girls Higher Secondary School at Somanur said that as they reach out to the homes of absent students, cases of prolonged absences and low marks were few. As a school in a village, it was easy to communicate with parents, she indicated.

R Visalakshi, president of the Association of the Federation of Private Schools, said the criteria for promoting students has been made very liberal, and will affect the knowledge level of students.

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