Cuttack: In an effort to reduce the rate of failure of students in the Class 10 board examination, Cuttack district administration has now rolled out a different kind of initiative. Known as ‘Mission Zero F’ or ‘Zero Fail', the initiative aims not only to ensure that schools record cent percent pass rate in the annual high school certificate board examination but also develop the quality of education.
Cuttack District Education Officer (DEO) has written to all Block Education Officers (BEOs) and headmasters of schools to implement the new initiative.
Under the new directive, DEO has asked the teachers to take utmost care to ensure that students score better in the HSC examination. Headmasters and teachers cannot take leave without the written permission from the BEOs. Apart from that, BEOs have been directed to pay surprise visit to know about attendance of teachers in the schools.
As the Mission F is part of state government’s 5T initiative, special focus is being given for its proper implementation.
Speaking about the initiative, Cuttack collector Bhabani Shankar Chaini said, “In view of the annual Matric examination, we have implemented new norms to increase the accountability of teachers. Various activities are also being undertaken under the mission. BEOs are visiting various schools and suggesting teachers as to how they should teach and prepare the students in a better way.”
On the other hand, OSSTA general secretary, Prakash Chandra Mohanty said the government should focus on appointment of teacher first rather than framing new rules to check accountability.
“Launching of Mission Zero F is not sufficient to improve the education system. We don't know whether the collector is aware how many teachers are there in the district for teaching students from Class I to Class X. We are requesting the government to implement reforms at the grass-root level as the new initiative will not succeed,” Mohanty said.