Education crisis in Assam: Thousands of teaching posts vacant

The state of Assam is facing a significant education crisis, with a staggering number of teaching positions left unfilled. Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, addressing the assembly, revealed the alarming statistics. This article delves into the pressing issue of teacher vacancies in Assam's schools, colleges, and universities.

School level vacancies

Education Minister Ranoj Pegu disclosed that there are more than 15,000 vacant teaching positions at the school level in Assam. Additionally, over 2,800 non-teaching positions in schools remain unfilled. This shortage of educators is a matter of concern, as it directly impacts the quality of education provided to students.

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Higher secondary vacancies 

In response to a query by AIUDF's Rafiqul Islam, Minister Pegu revealed that provincialized high schools and higher secondary schools are grappling with a significant shortage of leadership. There are 1,686 vacancies for head teacher positions, 320 for principals, and 499 for vice-principals. This leadership void can hamper the effective functioning of these educational institutions.

Higher education vacancies

At the higher education level, Assam faces a shortage of teaching staff. Responding to a question by CPI(M) legislator Manoranjan Talukdar, Minister Pegu stated that 860 assistant professor positions are vacant in various colleges, and 465 teaching positions are unfilled across 12 universities in the state. This shortage not only affects students' learning experiences but also hampers the growth and development of higher education institutions.

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Declining Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER)

  Furthermore, the state's Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) at the higher secondary level has been declining compared to the figures at the elementary level in 2021-22. This worrisome trend indicates that fewer students are progressing from elementary to higher secondary education, which could have long-term repercussions on the state's educational landscape.