311 single teacher, 14 teacherless schools get support under rationalisation policy: Chhattisgarh govt

The Chhattisgarh government said that a total of 311 single teacher schools and 14 teacherless schools have got support under the rationalisation policy implemented by the chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai. Recently, the state government said that there are no schools left without teachers, and the staffing of single-teacher schools has resulted in an 80% reduction in the number of schools with only one teacher.

The school rationalisation policy was introduced by the chief minister in an effort to strengthen primary and secondary education in the state.

Stating that the initiative has yielded “meaningful results”, the state government said: “The Regular teaching system has now started in teacherless and single teacher schools. With this, children of remote areas are now getting quality education in each subject.”

“Surplus teachers have been posted in 311 single teacher and 14 teacherless schools in Balrampur district under rationalization. Through the data-based action plan and balanced restructuring prepared by the education department, it was ensured that the position of a teacher in any school does not remain vacant for a long period,” the official statement read.

In remote areas, Primary School Maharajganj of Balrampur development block, which was functioning without a single teacher for a prolonged period, is now conducting regular classes. Similarly, in single teacher schools like primary schools Lurgi, Bhitar Sauni, and Makyathi, the deployment of subject-wise teachers has now become possible under the rationalisation policy, it said.

Also read How did 1.88 crore children, over 17,000 schools vanish from UDISE Plus? The ministry must explain: Expert

Chhattisgarh school rationalisation policy

The state government said these measures have helped in balancing the workload of teachers and it will not only benefit students preparing for competitive exams like JEE Mains and NEET UG, but for imparting quality education for upskilling.

“The effect of rationalization policy is not limited to the availability of teachers, but its effect is also visible in the educational environment of schools, Bal Sabha, reading promotion, art-culture activities, parental satisfaction and trust of the community,” it added.

Notably, the number of schools with single teachers in the state was much higher – 5,840 – as per the UDISE Plus 2023-24 data , published by the ministry of education (MoE). Moreover, 148 teachers were appointed in schools with zero enrolments. The data revealed that 2,15,592 students have enrolled in the schools run by single teachers - which is one of the highest.

However, recent reports stated that the government is planning to implement the policy in the remaining single-teacher primary schools—1,207—through promotions and new recruitments.