The Minority Welfare Department of Karnataka has issued notices to the principals (head masters) of more than 60 Moulana Azad Model Schools whose students scored below the State average (73.4%) in the SSLC exam 2024, holding them directly responsible for the fall in results.
The department has warned that disciplinary action will be taken as per the Karnataka Civil Services Rules if a written explanation is not submitted within seven days of the notice.
Principals of Moulana Azad Model Schools have objected to this action of the department and have requested immediate withdrawal of the disciplinary action notices.
Why this notice
There are 250 English-medium Moulana Azad Model Schools functioning under the Minority Welfare Department across Karnataka, with classes 6 to 10 being taught in 225 schools and classes 6 to II PUC in 25 schools.
This year, compared to schools under the Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL), Maulana Azad Model Schools have recorded the lowest results in SSLC exam. The results of many schools have not crossed 20%, and the results of most schools are less than 50%.
In this context, the department had issued show cause notices in June 2024 to the principals of schools that scored results below the State average.
The principal of a Moulana Azad Model School said, “In the show cause notice issued by the department, we had given an explanation about the reasons for the decline in SSLC results. All the teachers are collectively responsible for the decline in results. However, without considering our explanation and making appropriate plans to improve the results, it is not right to hold only the principals responsible for the decline in results and issue disciplinary notices.”
The principals have complained that the main reason for the decline in results is the shortage of permanent teachers and lack of basic facilities.
“The government has sanctioned a total of 1,750 teaching posts, including 250 principals and 1,500 teachers, for 250 schools in Karnataka. But out of these, only 100 principals and 600 teacher posts have been filled. The remaining 900 teacher posts are vacant. The work is being done by guest teachers. We have been given the additional responsibility of schools where the post of principal is vacant. In addition, we are handling the responsibility of the principals of PUC colleges. Lack of basic facilities is common in our schools. The posts of Hindi teachers, Physical Education teachers, and Second Division Assistant and Group ‘D’ posts are not granted. Amidst all these responsibilities, we have also emphasised on quality education of children,” said another principal.
Some principals said that the SSLC examination reform measures taken by the government of Karnataka this year were one of the reasons for the decline in results.
“This year, the examination proceedings were webcasted in all examination centres to prevent examination malpractice. Due to this new system, children got scared and did not write the examination properly. Hence, the results have fallen across Karnataka. However, DSEL has not taken any disciplinary action against the teachers and headmasters for the decline in results. Instead, it has implemented many schemes to increase the results this year. Issuing disciplinary notices to the principals of Moulana Azad schools will weaken their morale,” said another principal.
“As per the rules, the department is not allowed to issue disciplinary notices holding principals solely responsible for the decline in SSLC results. Therefore, we will request the department to withdraw the notices immediately. If they are not withdrawn, we will approach the court,” said one of the principals.
Jeelani H. Mokashi, Director, Directorate of Minorities, told The Hindu, “We are worried that many Moulana Azad schools have obtained results below 20% in SSLC exam. We have felicitated the principals of the schools that have recorded good results. However, the poor results are due to the irresponsibility of the principals of the respective schools. Principals cannot shirk their responsibility. Therefore, the notice has been issued to warn them.”
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