Activists seek CM help with teacher crisis in govt schools

Ranchi: Noted economist Jean Drèze and another rights activist Elina Horo on Thursday sent a joint letter to chief minister Hemant Soren to draw his attention towards deepening teacher crisis in govt schools.

They added that such shortage at the primary and upper primary level schools are in blatant violation of Right to Education Act.“As you are aware, there is a severe shortage of teachers in govt schools in Jharkhand. According to the govt's own UDISE+ data, in 2021-22, 30% of govt primary schools had only one teacher. This is a gross violation of the Right to Education Act, 2009, which clearly states that all primary schools must have at least two teachers and at least one teacher for every 30 children enrolled,” read the letter.“Instead of improving over time, the situation is getting worse. According to UDISE+ reports, the number of single-teacher schools in Jharkhand increased from 7,642 in 2022-23 to 9,172 in 2024-25. Despite the appointment of some teachers in 2025, a severe shortage continues to persist,” it added.The Govt of India had stated in the Lok Sabha on Sept 19, 2020, that approximately one lakh posts of school teachers are vacant in Jharkhand.

“The children most affected by the shortage of teachers are those from tribal, Dalit and other marginalised communities, who have no option other than studying in govt schools,” said Dreze, adding that they have urged the CM to launch efforts to expedite teacher appointments in Jharkhand without any delay.A senior official in the school education department conceded shortfall stating that the govt is working to fill vacancies. “In the govt, many teachers were hired and more recruitments from the competent bodies are under various stages,” said an official, unwilling to be quoted.