VIJAYAWADA: Much of exam phobia is the result of the fear of poor performance. Education department in Krishna district is busy working on strategies to help school children fight this anxiety.

As exams are drawing nearer, the department has hardened its stand towards headmasters and staff of Government schools as part of its efforts to secure cent per cent results. Government-run schools in the district secured 78.15 per cent of pass percentage last year.

A packed timetable has been worked out for 10th class students to make sure that they perform well in the forthcoming public examinations.

Changes were effected from December 1, 2005, in their school timing making it mandatory for them to spend a couple of extra hours in their classrooms. This is in addition to scrapping of holidays including, second Saturdays, Sundays and any other public holidays.

Teachers warned

Headmasters and subject teachers have been adequately warned to perform or face the music.

"Last year, nearly 50 teachers from 25 Government schools were served memos for failing to secure good pass percentage. We took an assurance from them that they will show better results which should reflect in the overall pass percentage of the school performance," says Krishna District Education Officer A. Satyanarayana Reddy.

Exuding confidence that the schools will perform well this year, he says all schools have completed syllabi and are conducting revision tests.

Vidya volunteers

To meet shortage of teachers, the department has appointed vidya volunteers and deputed qualified teachers from nearby primary schools to ensure that the students do not lag behind in their academics.

Study material has been distributed to students of seventh and tenth classes keeping in view problems of low achievers and orientation programme was conducted for teachers recruited recently.

Review meetings

Monthly meetings of headmasters are made mandatory to review the work. This is in addition to appointment of 10 monitoring officers to visit schools and check if the instructions are being followed.

Mr. Reddy says it has been categorical that teachers concerned in schools securing below 75 per cent of pass percentage will be liable for punishment.

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