314 schools, one teacher each: Himachal Pradesh faces primary school staff shortage

The state of school education in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district has come under scrutiny, with 314 primary schools reportedly functioning with only one teacher each. The shortage is putting additional pressure on teachers and raising concerns over the quality of learning in these schools.

The situation is particularly evident at Banogi Primary School in Kullu, where 21 students from pre-primary to Class 5 are being taught by a single teacher. She has been handling the school’s teaching and other responsibilities for nearly two years.

Anita Thakur, who was first appointed to the school in 2022, said she teaches all subjects and covers the syllabus for every grade. Managing different classes at the same time, she said, makes it difficult to give individual attention to students.

ONE TEACHER, MULTIPLE CLASSES: THE CHALLENGE AT BANOGI SCHOOL

“Even though the number of children is low, each class has to be taught separately. The pre-primary children have to be taught separately, and Classes 1 to 5 have different syllabi. It becomes challenging to give attention to every child,” Thakur said.

To cope with the shortage, the School Management Committee (SMC) had arranged an additional teacher, who was paid Rs 200 per child per month. However, that teacher has now left the school.

A Junior Basic Teacher (JBT) trainee has also been undertaking teaching practice at the school for the past three months. Her training is scheduled to conclude on September 14.

Thakur said the school had earlier functioned on deputation because of the vacant teaching post.

SMC SEEKS SECOND TEACHER

Banogi Primary School SMC president Ram Nath said committee members approached the Deputy Director of Education seeking another teacher but were told that staff were currently unavailable.

“An SMC delegation went to the Deputy Director and requested a teacher. We were told that teachers are currently not available. Teachers are occupied in other schools and it is not possible to send someone here at present,” Ram Nath said.

He said the arrangement was difficult because the teacher has to manage classroom teaching alongside other school responsibilities, including the mid-day meal.

“When one teacher has to look after teaching as well as other school work and the mid-day meal, it becomes difficult. The education of the children is affected,” he said.

Ram Nath said the SMC had repeatedly requested the government to appoint another teacher so that students’ education does not suffer.

The situation at Banogi is part of a wider concern in Kullu, where 314 primary schools are reportedly functioning with a single teacher. The shortage leaves teachers responsible for multiple grades and administrative duties, making regular, individualised instruction more difficult.

(Inputs by Manminder Arora)