Priya, the Vice-Principal of a government model school providing free quality education, faces a moral dilemma. The school operates under a scheme that requires students to maintain good performance in annual examinations to continue their education. In her class, a bright student, Asha, has been struggling with attendance and studies following her father’s sudden demise, as she now helps her mother run a vegetable stall and cares for her younger siblings.

As the year-end exams approached, Asha, anxious about failing and losing her place at the school, sought Priya’s help. While empathizing with Asha’s situation, Priya offered study materials but clarified that she could not influence the exam process. However, during the exams, Priya discovered that the Principal had provided Asha with the question paper and answers in advance, ensuring she passed on the condition that she would improve her attendance.

Since then, Asha has kept her promise, attending school regularly and actively participating in class. Although Priya is pleased with Asha’s progress, she feels conflicted about the fairness of the decision, as it could demotivate other students and compromise the integrity of the examination system.

Evaluate the behaviour of the Principal from an ethical standpoint.

Roadmap for Answer Writing

To effectively answer the question, Priya‘s ethical concerns and practical considerations should be balanced. The roadmap should include the following steps:

1. Introduction: Contextualize Priya’s Ethical Dilemma

• Briefly state the situation: Priya’s dual concerns about fairness in decision-making and ensuring Asha’s educational progress.
• Mention the competing values: integrity, fairness, compassion, and duty towards Asha’s education.

2. Identify the Ethical Concerns and Priorities

• Fairness in Process: Highlight the importance of fair treatment for all students to maintain institutional integrity.
• Compassion for Asha: Recognize Asha’s potential and her right to education as part of a moral and social duty.

3. Propose Steps to Address Ethical Concerns

Structure the steps under short-term actions and long-term solutions:

• Short-Term Actions:
  1. Evaluate and verify the facts regarding Asha’s situation (e.g., socio-economic challenges).
  2. Seek an impartial review of Asha’s case to eliminate any perception of bias.
  3. Collaborate with school authorities and community organizations for temporary support to ensure Asha’s educational continuity.
• Long-Term Solutions:
  1. Advocate for a transparent and fair support system for all deserving students.
  2. Establish clear guidelines for extending help to ensure fairness.
  3. Implement mentorship or sponsorship programs for students like Asha.

4. Justify the Actions with Ethical Principles

• Reference principles such as utilitarianism (greatest good for the greatest number), Kantian ethics (duty and fairness), and care ethics (compassion for Asha).

5. Conclude with a Balanced Perspective

• Emphasize that by ensuring fairness and transparency, Priya can uphold ethical standards while continuing to support Asha’s development in a sustainable and equitable manner.

Relevant Facts for the Answer

1. Right to Education in India:
   • The Right to Education Act, 2009 (RTE) mandates free and compulsory education for children aged 6-14 years, highlighting the moral responsibility to ensure education for underprivileged children..
2. Principles of Fairness in Public Administration:
   • Fairness and integrity are core principles in decision-making processes to prevent favoritism and ensure equitable treatment.
3. Impact of Socio-Economic Disadvantage on Education:
   • Research shows that students from marginalized backgrounds face significant barriers in accessing quality education, leading to a moral imperative for additional support..
4. Importance of Transparent Processes:
   • Transparent decision-making reduces public skepticism and promotes trust in institutions, especially in cases involving potential conflicts of interest.