The Decline of Responsibility in Government Schools: A Hidden Crisis

Government schools are meant to be the foundation of accessible education for every child, especially in rural and underprivileged areas. However, a growing concern that continues to plague many such institutions is the casual and irresponsible behavior of certain teachers who treat their position not as a noble duty, but as a personal privilege.

In several government schools, teachers arrive at their convenience, with little regard for school timing or discipline. Their irregular attendance sets a poor example for students and undermines the very essence of structured learning. Unfortunately, the problem doesn’t stop there.

Students are often given false assurances of being passed in exams, especially during practical assessments, in exchange for money, personal favors, or private tuition enrolment. Instead of nurturing young minds, some teachers misuse their authority by compelling students to work in their farms during harvest seasons or engage in household chores. Such exploitation not only robs children of their right to education but also damages their self-worth and future prospects.

Practical exam invigilators are often the worst offenders. They spend the classroom hours in meaningless conversations or on their phones, treating their duties as mere formalities. The genuine purpose of practical education – hands-on learning and critical thinking – is lost in this negligence.

In cases where an honest principal attempts to bring discipline and accountability, he or she is often isolated and undermined. Rather than cooperating for the betterment of the school, these groups of teachers label the principal as authoritarian or accuse them of bias, creating a toxic environment where integrity is punished instead of respected.

This silent crisis is eating away at the roots of our public education system. Children deserve better. They deserve committed teachers who value their role, who uplift rather than exploit, and who work in harmony with school leadership rather than against it.

The solution lies not only in stronger monitoring systems, but also in empowering community participation, rewarding honest educators, and holding negligent ones accountable. The future of a nation lies in its classrooms. We must act before these classrooms turn into mere shelters for corruption and indifference.