No teacher in 2 primary schools

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 13 

Himachal Pradesh has 15,328 government schools but two primary schools are without a teacher, 1,457 have one, 6,928 have two and 1,644 have three teachers each. 

The total strength of teachers stands at 66,912 (41,250 male and 25,662 female). Primary and middle sections have 22,955 and 11,703 teachers. Ironically, 118 middle schools are run by a single teacher, 387 by two, 643 by three and 821 by four to six teachers, as per the report of Unified District Information System for Education for 2018-19.

The situation at the secondary and senior secondary level is no better. Two high schools have only one teacher, 10 are being managed by two teachers, 20 have three and 246 have four-six  teachers. At the senior secondary level, one school has only two teachers, four schools have three teachers, 41 schools are managed by four-six teachers and 218 by 10 teachers.

The pupil-teacher ratio is ideal at 12.99 at the primary level, 11.83 at the middle level, 13.90 at the secondary and 10.49 at senior secondary level. Further, eight primary and middle schools are without any room, 704 primary and middle schools have just one room and 3,266 primary and middle schools are housed in two rooms. 

Principal Secretary (Education) KK Pant said the data was a year old and the situation had improved significantly since last year.

POOR INFRA

• 8 primary and middle schools without a room
• 704 primary & middle schools have one room 
• 3,266 primary & middle schools have two rooms

STAFF CRUNCH

• 2 high schools have only one teacher each
• 10 high schools have two teachers each
• 20 high schools have three teachers each