The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has come out with a new policy that links the performance of teachers with the learning outcomes of students.
The Education Department has issued notices to around 1,200 of its 10,000 teachers this year for non-performance, permanently stopped increment of 37 teachers and temporarily stopped increment of 71 teachers. A fine of ₹100 has been levied on 1,028 teachers. All the reprimanded teachers have moved into appeal. The department has also rewarded 106 headmasters and 102 teachers. BMC intends to continue with this system of performance appraisal despite stiff opposition from teachers’ unions.
Regular inspections
The department, which faced flak over the poor academic performance of students in its schools, issued a circular on October 10 last year announcing the start of inspections in primary and secondary (aided and unaided) schools.
The Pragat Shaikshanik Maharashtra initiative aims to assess teachers based on the performance of their students on 25 key parameters. If a class meets all 25 criteria, then it falls in the ‘A’ category and classes that meet less than 10 criteria will be slotted in the ‘D’ category. The final allocation of A, B,C or D categories will be also based on the annual examination results of the students in the class. Class IX and X teachers will be assessed based on the pass percentage of students in the final exams.
The BMC has decided to reward and punish teachers based on these parameters. Teachers heading classes that meet all 25 criteria and achieving 100% pass percentage in every subject will receive a certificate and given preference in the Mayor’s annual awards. Teachers who fail to meet less than 25 criteria and other parameters for 10 months will be punished. If the pass percentage of Class IX and X students is less than 70% or 60%, then teachers will be punished. Punishment is handed out after principals issue written warnings to teachers.
Milin Sawant, deputy municipal commissioner (Education), said, “According to government rules, students cannot be failed until Class VIII. This makes them complacent. When they enter Class IX, they are overwhelmed. Many of them cannot do basic reading, comprehension and maths. They find it hard to cope. That is why we decided to ensure teachers are made accountable to impart knowledge to students.”
Calls to retract circular
Ramesh Joshi, chairman of Brihanmumbai Mahapalika Shikshak Sabha, said, “We had opposed this circular last year as well. If reprimanding teachers would have improved quality of education, it would have been done long ago. There are other ways as laid down in the RTE. The administration should retract the circular.” Prashant Redij, secretary of Mumbai Principals’ Association, said, “In municipal schools, teachers work more than expected. How can their performance be solely based on students? Students cannot be failed, so they don’t bother studying. The State should start strict evaluation from Class V at least. Don’t parents have any responsibility?” Mr. Redij said the union might move court against the circular.