Mumbai: Competence of BMC School Teachers to be Judged on Students’ Performance

Mumbai, Nov 2: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued a circular to measure the competence of its teachers based on the performance of their students. BMC primary and secondary division

Mumbai, Nov 2: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued a circular to measure the competence of its teachers based on the performance of their students. BMC primary and secondary division teachers will either be rewarded or fined for the performance of their students, the circular stated. The move has drawn sharp criticism from teachers and principals of the municipal school in the city.

The circular stated that if the students of a teacher meet the standards set by the BMC, the teacher will either be rewarded a certificate or made eligible for the Mayor’s award. If the students failed to meet BMC’s standards, the teacher will be fined between Rs 100 and Rs 2,000. If the students’ poor performance continues, the teacher may have to give up their increments, either temporarily or permanently. A monthly survey will be conducted for this and the teachers will be judged annually.

Listed under the Shaala Siddhi programme, the parameters for Classes I to VIII students include performance in maths, languages, and attendance in school. If the students meet 20 of the 25 parameters, the BMC will award certificates to both primary and secondary section teachers; if the students met all the 25 parameters, the teacher will be eligible for the Mayor’s award.

Protesting against the circular, Prashant Redij from the Mumbai Principals’ Association said, “It is unfair to target teachers. Civic schools accept students all year round, especially dropouts. Their performance may not be at par with students attending classes throughout the year and a teacher can’t be held responsible.”