By TC News Desk
Agartala, 3rd September 2024: The education system in the state is facing a severe crisis, with the situation deteriorating rapidly. Despite government efforts to revamp the system, a lack of strategic planning has led to its gradual collapse. One of the most pressing issues is the acute shortage of teachers, exacerbated by an unplanned transfer policy that has left village hill schools particularly vulnerable.
In rural areas, the situation has reached a breaking point. Students and parents are increasingly resorting to road blockades to demand more teachers. On Tuesday, the students and parents of Kanchanpur Government English Medium School in Uttar district took to the streets, blocking the Kanchanpur-Dharmanagar road. The protest was held near Srirampur Jail Road in Kanchanpur subdivision.
A parent participating in the blockade expressed their frustration, saying, “The ratio of teachers to students in our school is abysmal. With over 500 students in each department and only four teachers, it is impossible to ensure proper education. Our children’s future is at stake, and we had no choice but to protest.”
The blockade lasted for three hours before the IS of Kanchanpur sub-division education department arrived and assured the protesters that necessary actions would be taken. Following this assurance, the road blockade was lifted. However, this incident is not isolated. Similar protests have been occurring frequently, highlighting the persistent teacher shortage.
Data reveals a stark contrast in teacher distribution across the state. Schools in Agartala city and various district headquarters have a surplus of teachers compared to the student population. In contrast, Gram Pahar schools are severely understaffed. A potential solution could involve transferring excess teachers from urban schools to rural areas to alleviate the crisis.
The education department now faces a critical decision. Will they take the necessary steps to address the teacher shortage in rural schools, or will the crisis continue to escalate? The future of the state’s education system hangs in the balance.
