Shortage of teachers impacts government schools

Dharwad: The department of school education and literacy is bent on improving the passing percentage of the SSLC examination and pressurising the teachers to work hard to achieve the target.When there was a dip in the passing percentage in the 2024 SSLC examination, the department went out of its way to increase it by awarding grace marks, which drew flak from academics. Even then, the passing percentage remained at 73.4.The department again made a faux pas by ordering the teachers to conduct remedial classes for failed students during the summer vacation, only to withdraw it amid strong opposition by students, parents and teachers.Edu dept yet to fill postsIt has been three weeks since the schools reopened for the new academic year 2024-25 and in several govt schools in the districts coming under the Belagavi division, the classes have not commenced on full scale as there is a shortage of teachers.In Dharwad district, there are 112 govt high schools and 131 posts of teachers are vacant due to retirement and other reasons. The department has neither filled these posts through proper procedure nor appointed any guest teachers. The services of those who were appointed last year have been terminated after 10 months of their contract period. As a result, classes are not being conducted in the subjects for which there are no teachers. Many of those who worked as guest teachers last year are willing to work again and have informed the school heads accordingly but the department has not appointed anyone to date.“There is no maths teacher in our school. Maths is a difficult subject and we cannot understand it without a teacher explaining to us how to solve a problem,” said a student.The govt has given its approval to appoint guest teachers on June 3 with a monthly remuneration of Rs 10,500 with the condition that the appointment will be only for ten months.“Delay in appointing teachers will make it difficult for the teachers to complete the syllabus effectively within the time frame. Teachers tend to hurry up, which affects the quality of teaching and learning,” said the headmistress of a school.“Education has not been a priority for the govt these days. It should have information on vacant positions well in advance, take steps to fill these posts before the reopening day and see to it that classes on all subjects commence from Day 1,” said NG Galagali, an educationist.
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