Teacher Shortage Crisis Hits Government Schools in Ludhiana

On March 31, government schools in Ludhiana were hit by a wave of transfers, leaving many institutions struggling to maintain adequate teaching staff. This crisis has raised concerns over the quality of education, especially with the ongoing academic session. The situation is expected to deteriorate further as teachers have been directed to apply for transfers to Schools of Eminence (SOEs) by April 4.

Concerns Over Depleting Faculty Numbers

Dharamjeet Singh Dhillon, District President of the Lecturer Cadre Union, highlighted the gravity of the issue, pointing out that key positions remain vacant, including 75 principal posts and over 200 lecturer vacancies. The absence of appointments in the past four years has put immense pressure on principals currently serving, often burdened with administrative duties for multiple schools.

Rural Schools Severely Underserved

Expressing concerns over the government's focus on SOEs at the expense of other institutions, Tehal Singh Sarabha, Secretary of the Government School Teachers’ Union, Punjab, criticized the neglect of rural schools. He questioned the rationale behind transferring teachers to SOEs while leaving previous positions vacant, stating that rural schools would suffer the most from this imbalance.

Assurance of Timely Replacements

In response to these criticisms, District Education Officer (Secondary) Dimple Madaan reassured that teachers transferring to SOEs would be replaced through timely promotions and transfers to address the staffing gaps.