Chhattisgarh NEWS : In a significant step towards enhancing the quality and accessibility of education in the state, the Chhattisgarh government has taken a comprehensive and meaningful initiative of rationalisation of its schools and teachers. In line with the provisions of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Right to Education Act 2009, this far-reaching reform, under the guidance of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, is in fact an effective effort to streamline the education system of the State and address the long-standing educational anomalies.
Before the rationalisation, the shortage of teachers in the schools in the rural areas of the state of Chhattisgarh, the posting of more than the required number of teachers in urban areas and nearby schools was affecting education and it was also affecting the examination results of the children.
About 212 primary schools and 48 pre-secondary schools in the state were completely without teachers, while 6,872 primary schools and 255 pre-secondary schools were operating with only one teacher. In addition, there were 211 schools where there were zero students but teachers were posted. In addition, 166 schools were accommodated, which included 133 schools in rural areas with a recorded distance of less than 10 km and less than 1 km and 33 schools in urban areas with a recorded distance of less than 30 km and less than 500 metres.
Despite these challenges, Chhattisgarh’s pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) was significantly better than the national average, PTR for primary schools was -20, while the national average is 29 and PTR for pre-secondary schools was -18, while the national average is 38. However, the distribution was uneven. There were about 17,000 primary schools and about 4,479 pre-secondary schools in the state, whose PTR was less than 20. In urban areas alone, there were 527 schools with PTR less than 10, including 08 primary schools with 15 or more teachers, 61 schools with 10-15 teachers and 749 primary schools with 6-9 teachers.
The main point of this initiative was the integration of about 10 thousand 372 schools, including primary, pre-secondary, high school and higher secondary schools, operating in a single campus. The merger is expected to bring several benefits, including reduction in the number of Shala Tyagi students and doing away with the need for students to carry transfer certificates frequently. It will also help in imparting quality education, students of smaller classes getting support from students of larger classes, and personality development along with enhancement of academic understanding and aptitude through computer, science laboratory, sports and cultural activities. With this approach, the administrative system will also be strengthened.
Along with the adjustment of schools, an important teacher rationalisation process was also carried out through counselling at the district, division and state level. Under this process, about 13,793 teachers were rationalised at the district level. At the divisional level, 863 teachers were rationalised and at the state level, 105 teachers were rationalised.
The initial results of the rationalisation drive are highly promising. Most importantly, the education department says that no schools are being closed and no teacher posts are being eliminated. Instead, the focus is on ensuring better infrastructure in schools.
After rationalisation, the number of schools without teachers in the State has come down to zero. The number of single-teacher schools has come down by an impressive 80% There are now about 1,200 single-teacher schools. Integration of 10,372 schools in a single campus and integration of 166 rural and urban schools has been completed. With this, about 89 per cent of the students will get relief from the repeated admission process. Additional teachers will be available to students and there will be more uniformity in school timetables and other activities. The initiative also aims to improve the understanding of students through remedial teaching.
By implementing the National Education Policy, Chhattisgarh is not only removing the current shortcomings but also laying a strong foundation for such a future. Where every child will have access to quality education, leading to holistic development and academic excellence. This step of rationalisation is a testimony to the commitment of the State towards creating a more efficient, equitable and effective educational environment.