School education gasping for breath, needs oxygen

Education minister Uday Pratap Singh's remark on guest teachers has sparked a debate, but there are many ailments that the school department is suffering from.

- Rishita Tomar

Yet, there is hardly anyone to pay attention to it.

From teacher shortages and surplus placement problems to administrative delays and infrastructure gaps, the challenges are immense, all contributing to a growing sense of frustration among students, parents, and educators alike.

One of the most pressing concerns is the shortage of teachers in government schools. According to official data, around 70,000 teaching positions remain vacant, with 1,275 schools operating without any teachers. Furthermore, 6,858 schools are running with only one teacher responsible for teaching all subjects, raising serious concerns about the quality of education these students receive. In contrast, urban schools are dealing with an excess of 28,815 surplus teachers, highlighting a significant imbalance in resource distribution.