Chennai: A report by PRS Legislative Research has highlighted a severe shortage of teachers and a lack of qualified educators across schools in India.

According to the report, at least 35 per cent of schools nationwide have 50 or fewer students, with only one or two teachers managing both academic and administrative responsibilities. The shortage has significantly impacted teaching quality, particularly in smaller schools.

As per data from 2022-23, 16 per cent of teaching positions for classes 1-8 remain vacant. The situation is critical in states such as Jharkhand (40 per cent), Bihar (32 per cent), Mizoram (30 per cent), and Tripura (26 per cent), which report the highest vacancy rates.

The report further states that in the 2023-24 academic year, nearly 12 per cent of teachers from primary to higher secondary levels lack the required qualifications. At the pre-primary level, the issue is more pronounced, with 48 per cent of teachers found to be unqualified.

The findings underscore the urgent need for reforms in teacher recruitment and training to improve the quality of education in the country.