South First Impact: Bengaluru school that ‘failed’ UKG student gets Education Department notice

What does the notice say?

Notice sent to the School by the Block Education Officer, Anekal Taluk. (Supplied)

In the notice to St Joseph Chaminade Academy Pre-primary School, the department said that it had come to its notice that an Upper KG child had been marked “Fail”, but as per its rules, no child could be failed until Class 9.

“But, you have failed a UKG child and this issue has been raised on the social media platforms. This has caused embarassment to the department. We need a written explanation to be submitted to us before this evening (Febraury 9/2023). If failed, the permission and license granted to the school will be cancelled [sic],” read the notice.

Interestingly, the school, in a series of emails (copies of which are available with South First) sent to the student’s father Manoj Badal, clearly said this was how the system on the mobile app functioned, and also recommended that the parent show the result from the mobile app and explain to the child that she did not recite the rhyme at the exam and hence was failed for that subject.

It told the BEO that this was a “technical error” and a mistake while “uploading” the result on the digital app.

“This is not true. I have a series of email communications with the principal regarding this. Initially, even we thought this was the case. How can they call this a technical error now?” asked Manoj.

Meanwhile, the BEO also expressed concern over marks being issued to students as early as Upper KG, when they are supposed to be only graded.

“The education minister’s office also wanted an explanation in this regard. We are awaiting the school’s response. We will initiate action if they have erred. They can’t use these terms and also mark students as young as six years old. That’s the age for them to play and be happy, and not be burdened with marks and fear of failure,” she explained.

Also read: School dropout rate down in rural India despite Covid-19, says survey

What transpired?

Manoj Badal, a bank manager by profession, was shocked to see his daughter’s marks card on the mobile app of the school with a “Fail” written in red.

When he checked, it was seen that she had managed to score a total of 100 out of 160.

“But she scored only five out of 40 in rhymes while the minimum passing mark was 14,” Manoj told South First.

The school said a physical marks card was given to the student, which said she had passed.

Thinking that it was a technical error from the school’s side, the parent approached the principal through a WhatsApp message.

The school explained that the child had not been able to recite two rhymes, and hence had to be failed.

Manoj was aghast with the explanation, especially when the principal stated that the child should be shown the digital marks card and explained that she had “failed”.