India faces significant challenges in its school system, marked by shortages in both infrastructure and teaching staff, which impact educational quality, especially in rural and underserved regions. The federal think tank NITI Aayog’s 2023 report highlighted over one million teacher vacancies in the country, with rural areas facing acute shortages—some rural schools operate with only one teacher, limiting individual student attention and educational quality. This issue is further exacerbated by high student-to-teacher ratios, especially at the secondary level where ratios often exceed 47:1, making personalised instruction challenging, according to the UNSECO’s latest report. “Tackling the teacher shortage in rural areas requires a combined effort of policy and innovation. Central and state governments should prioritise financial incentives to attract and retain educators. NITI Aayog suggests merging under-enrolled schools and optimising teacher allocation to address widespread vacancies. Additionally, we must elevate the teaching profession’s status through non-financial incentives, aligning it with other respected professions. By doing so, we can attract top talent and build a more sustainable workforce in education,” Praneet Mungali, trustee and secretary, Sanskriti Group Schools, told the Financial Express.
Furthermore, many schools face infrastructural shortages, lacking basic facilities like libraries, ICT resources, and proper sanitation. To address this, the NITI Aayog’s Project SATH-E has piloted reforms in select states like Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha, focusing on merging small schools, enhancing teacher training, and building “leader schools” to act as models. “While infrastructure such as classrooms, libraries, and technology are crucial, the most important resource remains a well-trained, motivated teacher. Strengthening teacher education institutes, particularly DIETs, and building the capacity of teacher training institutions should be a priority for state and central governments,” Javed Siddiqui, author of Education Lead- Transform Rural India, said.
Additionally, contractual employment also complicates the shortage, as nearly 69% of teachers in private schools and a significant number in government schools work without secure job contracts, affecting teacher motivation and retention. Solutions proposed by the National Education Policy (NEP) include restructuring contracts, increasing teacher training, and integrating foundational literacy programs to bridge educational gaps. “Prioritizing the recruitment of local teachers who have a native understanding of community issues and demographics can enhance education while creating local jobs. Additionally, leveraging technology to supplement in-person learning in areas with teacher shortages and establishing “twinning” programs—where leading private schools mentor rural schools and teachers—can support upskilling efforts through tech-driven solutions. These strategies together offer effective ways to address teacher shortages,” Mungali explained.
According to UNESCO’s 2021 report, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh stand out among Hindi heartland states for having the highest number of teacher vacancies. Uttar Pradesh and Bihar each report over 100,000 open positions, the largest figures nationwide. Additionally, over 60% of these vacancies are concentrated in rural regions, with Uttar Pradesh leading at 80%. Madhya Pradesh has the country’s highest count of single-teacher schools, totaling 21,000. Furthermore, approximately 7.7% of pre-primary, 4.6% of primary, and 3.3% of upper-primary schools employ underqualified teachers. “A lack of coordination between various government departments often hampers progress. Greater alignment between departments such as Early Childhood Development (ECD), Tribal Welfare, Panchayats, Health, and Education can result in more efficient use of resources and lasting impact,” Siddiqui said.