Single Teacher Primary Schools in India

 Single Teacher Primary Schools(having five classes, first to fifth standard) in India

Inadequate number of teachers and lack of rationalisation in postings are among the prime culprits for the grim scenario at a time when the country is embarking upon “Make in India” mission, which is possible with quality education from primary level

Over 98,000 primary schools across the country remain closed on a particular working day, if one teacher goes on leave or stays absent with any reason
It may sound absurd, but it’s a stark reality according to a report of the Right to Education (RTE) Forum.

One may wonder why the primary schools having five classes, first to fifth standard, would remain closed if one teacher bunks his duty or goes on leave. The reason is that the schools are managed by single teachers for all the classes. 

The District Information System for Education (DISE) 2013-14 reports that 

11.46 % of primary schools have single teachers and if clubbed with upper primary schools the number would go down some extent to 8.32 %

Over 91,000 schools remain dependent on single teachers, if the primary and upper primary schools are clubbed

According to the report, a large number of schools in Rajasthan (17,129), Gujarat (13,450), Maharashtra (13,905), Karnataka (12,000), Andhra Pradesh (5,503), Odisha (5,000), Telangana (4,000), Madhya Pradesh (3,500), Tamil Nadu (3,000), Uttarakhand (1,200), Punjab (1,170) and Chhattisgarh (790) – a total of 80,647 schools – were either merged or closed down till 2014

Right to Education(RTE)Forum Reports that 98443 or 11.46% of the Total Primary Schools in the Govt Sector Function With Single Teacher

The Report is also critical over reduced budgetary support for programmes such as Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (from Rs. 27,635 crore to Rs. 22,000 crore), mid-day meal scheme (from Rs. 13,215 crore to Rs. 9,236 crore), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (from Rs.5,000 crore to Rs.3,565 crore) and Integrated Child Development Scheme (from Rs.18,000 crore to Rs.8,000 crore).