Following the second phase of inspection and visitation of government schools in the Tzurangkong range under the jurisdiction of the Sub-Divisional Education Officer (SDEO), Mangkolemba, the Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM) reported a severe shortage of teachers and a lack of proper educational facilities in the schools they visited.
In a press release, the AKM stated that the inspection, which commenced on Monday and continued through Thursday, covered 13 schools. During this period, AKM observed that all the schools were critically short of teachers, with some teachers being transferred to other schools without replacement. This has led to situations where classrooms are combined, such as merging Class A and B into a single classroom, resulting in ineffective teaching and learning, AKM observed.
According to the AKM, specific cases of concern include GPS Aosenden, which has only four teachers for 6 classrooms. Classes are often cancelled due to the shortage of teachers, especially when teachers are required to attend training sessions elsewhere, it said. “The lack of teachers has forced students to leave the school as they are unable to receive a proper education with only four teachers,” AKM added.
Similarly, GPS Aosungkum was found to be facing a crisis with only 3 teachers for 6 classrooms where classes 2 and 3 were combined in a single class room. Further, AKM found that the absence of a Hindi teacher since 2020 has led to many parents transferring their children to other schools.
“Due to the shortage of teachers, both primary schools have been unable to offer classes for grade 5, further compounding the educational challenges faced by the students,” the AKM pointed out with regard to GPS Aosenden and GPS Aosungkum.
Further, AKM expressed grave concern over the lack of replacement for retired teachers in almost all the schools they inspected. It appealed for immediate intervention to address these critical issues and ensure that all schools are adequately staffed to provide a high standard of education.
The AKM also called upon the concerned authorities to deploy additional teachers to improve the student-to-teacher ratio across all schools and to ensure that classrooms are properly equipped. The AKM also emphasized the importance of a comprehensive inspection of all schools to assess the full extent of the teacher shortage and to initiate necessary corrective measures promptly.
The apex student organization said that a comprehensive data will be released after all the schools are inspected “where necessary actions will be initiated.”
This is very well-explained.