A new report highlights critical challenges in India’s education system, including teacher shortages and inadequate infrastructure
At least 35 per cent of schools across India enrol 50 or fewer students and operate with just one or two teachers, according to a recent PRS Legislative Research analysis. Data from NITI Aayog further reveals that 36 per cent of government schools have fewer than 50 students, while 10 per cent have less than 20, reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Over one-third of Indian schools face staff shortages and inadequate resources.
The PRS report, released on Tuesday, underscores major concerns about small schools with limited teaching staff. According to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, these conditions force teachers to manage multiple grades and subjects, often beyond their qualifications. Additionally, many teachers are burdened with administrative duties, reducing the time spent on actual teaching.
The NEP 2020 also emphasizes that smaller, isolated schools face challenges like poor infrastructure, including a lack of laboratories and libraries, further hindering the quality of education.
Severe teacher vacancies in key Indian states
As of 2022-23, 16 per cent of teaching posts for grades 1-8 remain vacant across India. The situation is particularly alarming in states like Jharkhand (40 per cent), Bihar (32 per cent), Mizoram (30 per cent), and Tripura (26 per cent), which report the highest teacher shortages.
In response to this crisis, the Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth, and Sports (2023)recommended that states expedite teacher recruitment through the establishment of an Autonomous Teacher Recruitment Board to ensure transparency and efficiency.
Unqualified teachers pose additional challenges
The report also reveals that as of 2023-24, 12 per cent of teachers from primary to higher secondary levels lack professional teaching qualifications. Alarmingly, 48 per cent of pre-primary teachers are unqualified, according to the Ministry of Education. This shortage of trained educators further exacerbates the difficulties faced by understaffedand under-resourced schools.
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