I am friends with a retired teacher. She has told me about being told by the principal to pass a student who should have failed. Schools are a big joke.
I have nothing but contempt for teachers who didn't refuse. Teachers are supposed to be professionals. Sometimes that means putting the job on the line.
How'd I get around it? Arranging free tutoring during or after the school day for a failing student. If they showed up, I'm good enough at teaching math so they'd pass. If they didn't it, covered my *ss.