Staff crunch, low enrollment plague Phagwara schools

Despite the Punjab government’s emphasis on improving the health and education sectors under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership, government primary schools in Phagwara continue to grapple with severe staff shortage and dwindling student enrollment.

Even as significant improvements have been made in infrastructure in the government schools, parents prefer private schools for their children. Though the government has been sending teachers abroad to study education system of other countries, the initiative has apparently failed to increase enrollment in government schools.

A survey conducted by The Tribune revealed a shortage of teaching staff in government primary schools across Phagwara sub-division. The situation in the Block Primary Office in Phagwara was particularly worrisome, with only one Class IV employee present when The Tribune team visited school.

The sub-division was bifurcated into two administrative blocks, Block 1 and Block 2, on April 1, 2011. Despite the division, administrative posts remain vacant. Only one sewadar has been assigned to Block 1, while key posts, including Block Primary Officer and clerks, are lying vacant in both blocks. Currently, Block Primary Officer Sanjeev Handa is overseeing five blocks across Kapurthala district.

According to official figures, 109 government primary schools in Phagwara sub-division collectively have a strength of 7,301 students. However, 47 of these schools have less than 50 students. The Tribune team identified four schools with single-digit enrollment.

A visit to Government Primary School, Kirpalpur, near Phagwara city, brought to light the extent of crisis. Despite having two spacious classrooms designed for 150 students, the school had only three students in attendance. A lone teacher, Gurjit Kaur, was managing the school. Gurjit Kaur is on deputation, covering for regular teacher Lovepreet Kaur, who has been on maternity leave since July 7, 2023.

Enquiries revealed that 114 of the 424 sanctioned posts for primary teachers in Phagwara sub-division are lying vacant. The persistent shortage of teachers raises concerns over the government’s promises of providing quality education, despite the availability of improved infrastructure.

The ongoing staffing crisis and low enrollment numbers underscore the challenges facing Punjab’s education system. While the government has constructed better school buildings, attracting students and filling staff vacancies remain significant hurdles. The situation calls for urgent policy intervention to restore confidence in government-run schools and ensure that quality education is accessible to all.