Notwithstanding the tall claims only 24 per cent of the teachers of the primary schools of Bihar, according to a survey, can solve a simple calculation, some of even Class-III level. Sixty three per cent of them either did not attempt it or got it all wrong. Mere 66 per cent of them can actually write down the steps involved in solving the sum systematically while the rest fumbled.Similarly just 40 per cent of them are able to make error-free summarization of a passage given to them.The scene is pathetic in other way too. In Bihar enrolled students attend schools for 40 per cent school days against 55 per cent in UP.These preliminary findings of a study on “Teachers’ Effectiveness and Learning Level of Students” (TEELS) were made by Geeta Kingdon of the Institute of Education, University of London. She surveyed 160 schools in 10 districts of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Teachers’ effectiveness is better in UP than Bihar.The findings reflect the better performance of regular teachers compared to para-teachers appointed in 2002 and 2007. About 80,000 and over one lakh para-teachers were appointed respectively in these two phases. However, the state government is now in the process of dismissing 40,000 of one lakh para-teachers appointed last year as they have submitted fake mark-sheets and other documents.