Pune Zilla Parishad Issues Show-Cause Notices to Five Teachers over Drop in Learning Quality

Following the publication of data revealing a steep decline in classroom learning outcomes in a number of schools run by Pune Zilla Parishad (Pune ZP), the district administration in Pune took the decision to send show-cause notices to five teachers of these schools.

Such intervention has been made because the quality of education in 158 “model schools” that constitute the scope of a quality-improvement initiative by Pune ZP has been evaluated. The Pune ZP administration closely monitors academic performance through a dashboard system and monthly tests. Based on the investigation, these five teachers were unproductive in their classrooms, which ultimately led to a decrease in student performance since they were found to be absent without leave for their classes.

The model school program had identified the schools that performed poorly and had started monthly assessments to keep learning standards under surveillance. The teachers received the letters instructing them to provide an explanation regarding their absences and the decrease in the quality of classes. They have been given the opportunity to send their reply and make the necessary improvements.

Pune ZP is also going to have a support team, a “teacher cell” consisting of 52 teachers, to be there with the underprivileged schools. This team will be visiting these schools which are affected and conducting classes for the improvement of teaching standards and making sure that children get proper education.

Indeed, this is a clear signal that authorities have finally resorted to the use of data and accountability measures in order to tackle teacher absenteeism and low student performance. Whether the remedial team and show-cause notices will actually bring about a change in the quality of classroom work will be the challenge from now ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌on.