One teacher, millions of students: how can India ensure quality education for all? The Challenges of Single-Teacher Schools in India.
The scale of the issue
Over 1 lakh schools in India operate with only a single teacher. In these schools, enrolment can run into tens of thousands of students across the country.
Why is this a challenge
The Right to Education Act mandates a minimum of two teachers in a primary school and a fixed pupil-teacher ratio.
Impacts on learning quality
With one teacher doing so many jobs, individual student attention suffers. Infrastructure and resources are often weak in these schools (internet access, teaching aids, etc).
What needs to be done
Hire more teachers, and ensure every school has a minimum staff as per norms. Rather than one teacher alone, ensure teams or shared resources across small schools.
Promising innovations & interventions
Some states are pairing under-resourced schools with nearby better-equipped schools to share resources and teachers.
How you can contribute
Advocate for equitable teacher allocation and proper staffing of all schools. Support teacher professional development and mentoring.
Want to know about the online degree? How teachers can gain a good knowledge
Teachers can strengthen their knowledge and teaching skills through accredited online courses and degrees. Flexible learning helps them grow while continuing to teach.