PUDUKKOTTAI: In a stern move to address academic negligence, Tamil Nadu’s Education Department has suspended a teacher and transferred seven others from the Aranthangi Government Model Higher Secondary School for Boys after a staggering 242 students failed in their board examinations.

A crisis in accountability

Chief Educational Officer K Shanmugam blamed the mass failures on serious dereliction of duty. “This is more than poor academic performance—it’s a breach of responsibility,” he said, citing internal assessments that misrepresented student readiness. The inquiry found that several teachers failed to fulfil basic teaching responsibilities, with significant gaps between internal grades and final board results.

Results paint a grim picture

Out of 264 Class XII students, only 157 passed, causing the pass rate to fall sharply from 82% to 59.49%. Class X results dropped from 87% to 66%, with just 71 out of 107 students clearing the exams. In Class XI, 99 students failed out of 240—a serious dip highlighting inefficiencies in classroom delivery.

Staff misconduct under scanner

Authorities found that some faculty members regularly skipped classes, misused mobile phones during school hours, and spent excessive time away from teaching duties. These lapses were deemed major contributors to the academic decline.

Remedial steps underway

C Thamarai, previously HM of Avudaiyarkoil, has taken charge. The department will deploy School Management Committee (SMC) teachers temporarily, and a WhatsApp group has been created for tighter supervision involving local representatives and educators.