Palakkad: Two different types of punishments are being given to SSLC and Higher Secondary teachers for the same mistakes made during the valuation of answer scripts. Even the RTI query on the matter has received two different responses.
The two divisions under the Director of Public Instruction (DPI) are taking different stands on the same matter. The Pareeksha Bhavan, responsible for SSLC, answered RTI queries on the names and actions taken against teachers who first valued the answer scripts which resulted in differences in marks in revaluation last year.
However, the same questions posed to the Higher Secondary Division received a response that "since it does not come under the RTI Act, it cannot be answered." The strange element is that similar questions were answered in previous years.
The teachers' allegation that there is political interference in the actions taken against them regarding valuation has allegedly been proved true by the Higher Secondary Division's action to suppress information.
Difference in punishments
In SSLC valuation, action is taken against teachers when there is a difference of more than 10 per cent in marks. They will be barred from tabulation duty for three years. Last year, there was a change in marks for 31,944 students after revaluation. However, the action was only taken against 17 teachers.
However, in the case of higher secondary, action was taken against language teachers whose papers brought a change of just three marks, including English. The punishment in higher secondary is a fine of Rs 10,000 and withholding of an increment. The lapse will be entered in the service book as well.
Last year, 17,196 students faced discrepancies in marks in Plus One, and 3106 faced the same in Plus Two. Sixty teachers faced action in the case of Plus One, while 53 were punished in Plus Two.