one-in-three-indian-schools-has-fewer-than-50-students

A report by PRS Legislative Research has revealed that one in three schools in India operates with fewer than 50 students and has either one or two teachers.

 

The findings highlight the challenges in maintaining educational standards due to inadequate staffing and infrastructure.

 

The report states that 35% of Indian schools have low enrolment, forcing teachers to take on multiple classes and subjects, often beyond their expertise.

 

The lack of essential infrastructure such as libraries and laboratories further complicates the situation, making it difficult to provide quality education.

 

In these schools, teachers are also burdened with administrative responsibilities, further reducing their teaching time. This not only affects learning outcomes but also puts immense pressure on educators.

 

Teacher shortages remain a significant concern. In 2022-23, 16% of teaching positions for Classes 1 to 8 remained vacant. The highest teacher vacancies were recorded in Jharkhand at 40%, followed by Bihar at 32%, Mizoram at 30%, and Tripura at 26%.

 

The persistent shortage of educators has led to overcrowded classrooms in some areas while leaving others understaffed.

 

To address the issue, the Standing Committee on Education in 2023 recommended expediting teacher recruitment.

 

The committee also proposed the creation of an Autonomous Teacher Recruitment Board to ensure transparency in hiring and reduce delays in filling vacant positions.

 

Apart from vacancies, the report highlights concerns about teacher qualifications. In 2023-24, 12% of teachers from primary to higher secondary levels did not meet the required qualifications.

 

Additionally, the Ministry of Education revealed that 48% of pre-primary teachers lacked proper training, raising concerns about early childhood education.

 

India’s literacy rate currently stands at 74%, but a significant section of the population struggles to secure stable employment.

 

Experts argue that improving education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty. Ensuring a balanced teacher-student ratio, along with better infrastructure, could significantly enhance the learning experience and prepare students for future opportunities.