Chhattisgarh’s teacher rationalisation transforms remote schools with subject experts, boosts education access in tribal regions

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh’s teacher rationalisation initiative is making a tangible difference in the education sector, especially in the state's remote and tribal-dominated regions.

This initiative aims to address long-standing teacher shortages and improve access to quality education in underserved areas.In forested and inaccessible parts of the Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur district, villages like Badgaon Khurd, Dhab, Khokhnia, and Devshil are witnessing a positive transformation. High School Badgaon Khurd, located inside the Guru Ghasidas National Park, had no permanent teachers and depended solely on a guest teacher.

Now, with the appointment of two subject-specialist lecturers in Hindi and Mathematics, the village is experiencing renewed enthusiasm for learning.In Dhab village, a new assistant teacher joined the lone educator who managed all duties at the primary school for years. The local community welcomed the move, expressing optimism for improved learning outcomes. Similarly, in Khokhnia, the appointment of one teacher at the primary level and two at the middle school brought relief to a village that had 87 students but inadequate teaching staff.

Devshil village, which had just one teacher for 57 students, now has an additional teacher, enhancing the learning environment. Villagers expressed joy and gratitude, seeing this as a critical step toward securing their children’s futures.The impact of the rationalisation policy is evident beyond this district. In Balod’s Taroud village, the local high school, which previously struggled with a single teacher for 60 students, received four subject-specialist teachers.

The transformation sparked excitement among students and relief among parents, who feared for their children's education.The rationalisation drive, in accordance with the National Education Policy 2020 and the Right to Education Act 2009, is being implemented across districts with the goal of ensuring an equitable teacher-student ratio. In Korba, 287 assistant teachers, 147 middle school teachers, and 75 lecturers were posted to schools in remote areas such as Podi Uprora and Katghora, which lacked subject-specific teachers for years.In urban areas like Raipur’s Dharsiwa block, where some schools had a surplus of teachers, redistribution is being carried out to ensure balanced staffing. Schools like Nayapara Kanya and Ravigram, which had disproportionate teacher numbers compared to student strength, are now contributing to the needs of more deprived areas.Districts like Rajnandgaon and Durg are also seeing changes, with rationalisation addressing the mismatch in teacher deployment that affected academic performance.

In Bastar division’s seven districts, over 1,600 schools are undergoing this process to ensure proper distribution of teachers and educational resources.In Jashpur district, Farsabahar block’s villages Raigarmunda and Mundadih, previously functioning with temporary or no teachers, now have regular teaching staff. This has boosted school attendance and restored parents’ faith in the govt school system. Parents, school management committees, and local leaders have all expressed appreciation for the initiative.Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai emphasised that this initiative is more than a logistical reform—it is a commitment to shaping the future of the state’s children. "We are ensuring that teachers reach the schools that need them most. The progress seen in tribal and remote areas confirms that we are on the right path," he said.With teacher deployment being carried out transparently and based on school needs, the rationalisation process is not only bridging educational gaps but also strengthening the trust of rural communities in govt efforts. It represents a decisive step towards achieving the state’s vision: “Everyone studies, everyone progresses.”