In a shocking case from Assam, a government school is functioning with just four teachers for nearly 700 students, raising serious questions about the state of public education in the region. This massive teacher-student gap is affecting the quality of learning, putting extra strain on both the students and the few teachers managing the classes. Parents and local communities have started demanding urgent action from the education department to address the crisis before it worsens.
I am writing about this issue because it highlights a deeper problem that is not limited to just one school in Assam. Teacher shortages in rural and semi-urban areas are a long-standing challenge in India, but the scale of the situation here is alarming. Education is supposed to be a basic right for every child, yet when there are not enough teachers, that right becomes meaningless. In such a setup, students not only lose out on individual attention but also on the diversity of learning experiences that different subject specialists bring. If authorities do not step in with immediate solutions, the future of hundreds of children will be at risk. This story is important to discuss because it reflects the urgent need for stronger recruitment, better policies, and consistent monitoring in the education sector.
A crisis affecting learning quality
The school in question has classes from lower primary to higher secondary levels. With only four teachers, one can imagine the workload they face. Instead of focusing on quality teaching, these teachers are forced to handle multiple grades, subjects, and administrative work. This means students often get only a fraction of the attention and teaching time they need. For higher classes, this becomes a bigger problem, as subjects like science, mathematics, and languages require specialised attention.
Impact on students and teachers
- Reduced learning hours: Each teacher is stretched across several classes, which reduces the number of hours they can spend per subject.
- Overburdened teachers: The physical and mental stress of managing hundreds of students can lead to burnout and absenteeism.
- Declining academic performance: Without proper guidance and feedback, students risk falling behind in crucial subjects.
- Discipline challenges: With too few adults to supervise, maintaining order in classrooms becomes harder.
Voices from the community
Parents have been vocal about their concerns, saying that their children are losing interest in studies. Local leaders have urged the education department to immediately post additional teachers and fill vacant positions. Some have suggested temporary recruitment drives or engaging retired teachers until permanent staff can be appointed.
What can be done immediately
- Urgent recruitment of teachers – Fill vacant positions without bureaucratic delays.
- Temporary teaching support – Hire contractual or retired teachers to bridge the gap.
- Redistribution of resources – Move teachers from overstaffed schools to understaffed ones.
- Monitoring system – Ensure such shortages are identified before they reach a crisis point.
