17 schools in Muktsar have one teacher each

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, July 7

Even after spending huge money on infrastructure development under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), 17 government primary schools in the district are running with one teacher each.

These schools are located at Budhemall, Jagat Singh Wala, Kothe Melak, Nanakpura, Dhani Sham Singh, Bazigar Basti Kotbhai, Shekh, Kothe Behka, Chak Cheedian Wala, Chak Kesar Singh Wala, Kothe Naiwala, Manianwala, Bhullarwala, Lohara, Mithri Budhgir, Phullukhera and Sehna Khera villages.

Sources in the Education Department said the situation had arisen after the recent transfer of teachers. Though the district office had refused to transfer the teachers, some of them approached the higher authorities and managed to get transfer orders, they said.

As per the RTE Act, a government school should have minimum of two teachers with a student teacher ratio of 30:1. The Act says more than half of the existing staff can’t be transferred from any school.

A teacher posted at a government primary school said: “With no one to share the burden, I am saddled with the responsibility of teaching nearly 80 students of classes I to V. Besides, I have to do non-academic work as well.”

Another teacher said: “Imparting education is not a tough task, but other works like mid-day meal and administrative works consume a lot of time. It is difficult to manage everything on our own.”

Jaspal Monga, Deputy District Education Officer, Muktsar, said: “After the recent transfers, some schools are left with just one teacher. But we are hopeful that the situation will improve as the state government is appointing 4,500 new teachers.”

Courtesy: The Tribune