"3,000 Assam schools are managed by a single teacher, lack basic amenities": Minister Ranoj Pegu

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• Mar 31, 2023 | Dhupali Das

Nearly 3,000 schools in Assam are functioning with only one teacher, whereas 12,731 schools in the state have a teacher shortage compared to the number...

Digital Desk: Nearly 3,000 schools in Assam are functioning with only one teacher, whereas 12,731 schools in the state have a teacher shortage compared to the number of students.

Many schools are suffering from infrastructure problems and a lack of drinking water facilities.

In response to a question from Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi, state Education Minister Ranoj Pegu said, "Currently, a single teacher runs the entire school in Assam's 2,979 lower primary schools. The required student-teacher ratio under the Right to Education Act of 2009 could not be kept in the state's 12,731 schools."

According to the minister's reply, it has been revealed that many schools in Assam do not have adequate amenities, including a drinking water system.

"As many as 1,616 schools lack access to safe drinking water, while 1,140 require pukka buildings. A total of 511 schools in the state still do not have electricity connections," Pegu said.

Alumni and well-wishers donated a total of 71,356 fans to schools through the state government's Vidyanjali scheme. Even after that, colleges in Assam require at least 48,649 fans.

While 22,724 schools need to build more classrooms, up to 14,587 schools also need to renovate their structures.

In response to a distinct question from Congress leader Bhaskarjyoti Baruah, the state education minister stated that 5,320 teaching posts are available in primary schools, while 9,258 vacancies are available in secondary schools.

Pegu asserted that the state education department has been making efforts to fill the vacancies, but multiple outstanding legal issues pertaining to the hiring procedure were posing challenges.