XAT 2012 — Decision Making Question 16
Answer the following questions on the basis of the information given in the following case.
Vivekananda Memorial Elocution Competition (VMEC) in Viswavijay Public School (VPS) has a history of forty years. Apart from the founder’s day and annual day celebrations, it is the most important event of the school.
In recent times, due to the increased popularity of reality shows on television channels, and for various other reasons, the elocution competition lost its appeal. Interest of both students and parents has been eroding over a period of time. To ensure sufficient audience, Mr. Ivan, Head of English Department, introduced choral recitation for junior section as a part of elocution competition. Three classes, each consisting of forty students, get short-listed for the final performance of choral singing on the day of VMEC. Most of the parents and family members of these students attend the function to encourage them. This initiative increased the number of people attending the elocution competition.
Some teachers are unhappy with the emphasis given on the elocution competition, since they are expected to be present at the school on the
day of competition, which normally happens on a weekend to accommodate the working parents. The teachers were not granted leave on the
day of VMEC and they used to be unhappy regarding this aspect.
Ms Shabina, the principal of VPS, is aware that some of her teachers are unhappy. She wants to be seen as fair and just. Which option is the best one that she should exercise?
Answer & solution
- A
introduce separate music and dance competitions in same format as the elocution competition.
appropriately compensate those teachers who volunteer to come for the extra day
- C
appoint a committee of teachers, parents and management representatives to come up with possible suggestions within a deadline
- D
appoint a committee of teachers to come up with possible suggestions, and ensure that majority of committee members are staunch supporters of the current practices.
- E
exercise the authority of the principal because she wants to retain all traditions.
Ms Shabina is the principal which means she has power to take tough decisions single-handedly. A does not deal with the problem at hand. C seems too impractical with ‘teachers, parents and management’. D is erroneous in its latter part with ‘staunch supporters of the current
practices’. It makes Ms Shabina unfair. E is too dogmatic. B is fair and also achievable.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2.