Over 5,800 government, local body schools in Telangana run by single teacher

Majority of them are primary level schools where a single teacher has to teach students Classes I to V, covering 18 subjects across multiple grades each day

Hyderabad: In a concerning revelation that has come to the fore, over 5,800 government and local body schools in the State operated with a single teacher, raising questions about the quality of education offered to students. According to statistics, there were 5,821 single-teacher schools in Telangana, making up more than 20 per cent of all government and local body schools in the State.

These numbers placed Telangana at the six position in the country. Among the bigger States, Telangana has surpassed Uttar Pradesh (5,151), Maharashtra (5,544), Chhattisgarh (5,392), Bihar (5,022) Gujarat (1,139) with single-teacher schools. Overall, Madhya Pradesh topped with 15,432 and Andhra Pradesh was in second position with 11,409 schools with a single teacher.

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In Telangana, majority of these schools have been at the primary level where a single teacher has to teach students Classes I to V, covering 18 subjects across multiple grades each day. Despite the enrolment in each class, just one teacher must manage all classes besides handle administrative work and oversee mid-day meal preparation and serving.

This issue has left teachers and teachers unions worried. They argue how one teacher for a school can deliver quality education besides looking into administrative work.

“There is trust deficit among parents when it comes to enrolling their children in single-teacher schools. They question what children can learn with just one teacher handling all the classes. Hence, parents are not keen on enrolling their kids. On the other hand, the government sees that since children are not enrolling, it is not necessary to provide the required number of teachers,” said K Mahipal Reddy, president, Secondary Grade Teachers Union.

Teachers have been demanding the State government to deploy one teacher for every class, regardless of the student strength. This, according to teachers, will ensure educational standards at the primary level. However, despite numerous appeals from teachers, the State government is yet to take a call.