Govt schools under scrutiny over poor Class 9 results in Gujranwala

GUJRANWALA: The District Education Authority Gujranwala has initiated action against government schools showing poor performance in the recently announced Class 9 results of the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Gujranwala.

According to sources, principals, headmasters and heads of schools recording a result below 25 per cent will be summoned in person and asked to explain the reasons behind the poor performance.

Similarly, heads of schools and teachers associated with institutions recording results below 46.51 per cent, described as the board’s overall average, will be issued displeasure notices and asked to submit explanations for the low pass percentage.

The move comes after the education department began reviewing the performance of government high schools across the district following the announcement of the Class 9 results.

Sources said the results of 273 boys’ and girls’ high schools in the district would be examined as part of the exercise. The department would identify institutions with weak results and seek explanations from their heads regarding the factors responsible for the poor academic performance.

The authorities are also expected to examine the teaching and administrative performance of the schools before deciding further action against those responsible.

Data of students securing more than 500 marks or an A+ grade has been sought from government schools. The students who achieved outstanding results, along with the heads of their respective institutions, will be awarded certificates of appreciation.

The initiative is being described by education authorities as an effort to create a balance between accountability and encouragement, rather than focusing solely on punitive measures.

Chief Executive Officer of the District Education Authority Gujranwala Dr Atiya Arshad Malik said the department’s objective was not merely to take action against schools with poor results but also to appreciate institutions and teachers producing outstanding academic performance.

She said recognition of high-performing schools and students would help promote healthy competition among government educational institutions and encourage teachers and students to work harder.

The education department’s review is likely to put the performance of government schools under greater scrutiny, particularly those repeatedly recording low pass percentages.

Education officials believe that identifying weak-performing institutions and seeking explanations from their heads can help determine whether poor results are linked to teaching standards, student attendance, administrative shortcomings or other factors.

The exercise is also expected to provide the department with a broader picture of academic performance across the district and help it identify schools requiring additional supervision or support.

The officials said the ultimate objective of the exercise was to improve students’ academic outcomes and raise the overall standard of education in government schools across Gujranwala district.