Junagarh: Many government schools in this town of Kalahandi district have surplus teaching staff whereas rural schools have a few teachers, according to a report. As a result, the quality of teaching has suffered drastically in the schools functioning in rural pockets due to shortage of teachers, the report said.
Such strange policy of the education department in appointing teachers has drawn flak from several quarters. The department doesn’t bother to appoint the required number of teachers in rural schools although the issue has been raised several times with higher authorities, it is learnt.
A look at the teacher-student ratio in various schools reveals the lackadaisical attitude of the decision-makers of the department.
Arabinda Primary School in Junagarh town is reported to have three lady teachers for only seven students despite the fact that one teacher is enough as per the education policy.
Similarly, six teachers have been appointed in Talabandapada Primary School for 119 students whereas the number should ideally be not more than four. Gantayatpada Primary School in the town has 11 teachers for 245 students which is three more than the required number.
The situation is no different in the school functioning on the premises of Junagarh Block Education Office. The school has six teachers, in place of three, for 87 students. Other schools in the town have also excess teaching staff, sources said.
On the other hand, the teacher-student ratio in rural areas is depressing. For instance, five teachers have been appointed in Goudachhendia Nodal Upper Primary School in Junagarh block having student strength of 506. According to the government’s education policy, there should be at least 15 teachers in the school.
Similarly, Mudaraguda UP School has 186 students, taught by only two teachers. Ideally, it should have five teachers. The situation is no better in Charbahal UP School where only two teachers take care of the studies of more than 200 students.
Most of the schools in rural areas of the block suffer from teaching staff crunch, the report said.
It is alleged the teachers posted in urban areas have better connection with the department officials and politicians which is why they are not moved to rural areas.
When the issue was raised with Junagarh Block Education Officer Sudhanshubala Devi, she said some schools having student strength of less than 16 would be closed and the teachers of these schools would be shifted to other schools.
District Education Officer, Pradip Kumar Nag, downplaying the issue, said it would be solved soon. PNN
