A major controversy has erupted in Tamil Nadu’s Pudukottai district after an investigation revealed that widespread negligence by teachers at a government school led to shockingly poor board exam results. Aranthangi Government Model Higher Secondary School for Boys has come under intense scrutiny after nearly all students failed their board exams, prompting swift action from education authorities.
Alarming Failure Rates
A performance audit of the school revealed that most students in Classes 10, 11, and 12 failed the 2025 board exams. Out of 264 students in Class 12, only 157 passed. Similarly, just 71 out of 107 Class 10 students cleared the exams. Approximately 99 students in Class 11 failed as well.
Student Performance Breakdown
| Class | Total Students | Students Passed | Students Failed |
| Class 10 | 107 | 71 | 36 |
| Class 11 | ~99 (estimate) | N/A | 99 |
| Class 12 | 264 | 157 | 107 |
Teachers Neglected Duties
The Pudukottai district education department initiated an inquiry after the results raised red flags. The probe found that many teachers were neglecting their academic responsibilities. Instead of teaching, they were reportedly seen idling in the staff room, engaged in personal conversations, or glued to their mobile phones. Students were left without proper instruction, leading to inadequate academic preparation.
Fake Internal Assessment Marks
Further investigation revealed that teachers had awarded students disproportionately high marks in internal assessments to falsely reflect good performance. This misleading practice masked the actual learning gap, which became evident in the board results.
Disciplinary Measures Taken
The Tamil Nadu education authorities took the following corrective steps:
- 1 teacher suspended
- 7 teachers transferred
Retired headmaster replaced with C. Thamarai, headmaster of Avudaiyarkoil School, who has been appointed to lead the school.
Community Oversight Introduced
To prevent further academic deterioration, Aranthangi MLA T. Ramachandran called for an emergency intervention. A WhatsApp group was formed to include members of the School Management Committee (SMC), teachers, and local community representatives. This initiative is designed to ensure daily monitoring of school activities and teacher engagement.
Additionally, SMC members will temporarily assist with teaching until new teachers are appointed, ensuring that students’ learning is not disrupted.
This incident underscores the urgent need for accountability and monitoring mechanisms in the school system, especially in public institutions that serve underprivileged communities.
