Over 1 Lakh Single-Teacher Schools in India; Andhra Pradesh Tops List
UPSC / SSC current affairs note
Why in news
Government data reveals that more than one lakh schools in India are functioning with a single teacher, highlighting severe teacher deployment gaps despite favorable national pupil-teacher ratios. Andhra Pradesh alone accounts for over 16,000 such schools, and the issue spans across states, not just remote areas.
Background
The National Education Policy sets pupil-teacher ratio norms: 19 at primary, 17 at upper primary, 15 at secondary, and 23 at higher secondary. However, national averages mask local imbalances. Teacher vacancies arise from retirements, resignations, and changing enrollments. Recruitment is handled by state governments.
Key facts
India has 1,00,843 single-teacher schools (government, aided, and private) as per UDISE+ 2025-26 data.
Andhra Pradesh leads with 16,357 single-teacher schools (over 16% of national total).
Other top states: Jharkhand (9,827), Maharashtra (9,269), Karnataka (8,042), UP (7,874), Rajasthan (7,200), West Bengal (6,769).
These seven states account for nearly 65% of all single-teacher schools.
Kerala reported only 67 such schools; Delhi 7; Andaman & Nicobar 1.
National pupil-teacher ratios: primary 19, upper primary 17, secondary 15, higher secondary 23 (within NEP norms).
Data was provided by MoS Education Jayant Chaudhary in response to a Rajya Sabha question.
Vacancies attributed to retirement, resignation, creation of posts, staff rationalisation, and changing enrolment.
Recruitment and deployment of teachers are state subjects.
States advised to fill posts transparently and use technology for teacher requirement forecasting.
Prelims pointers
- UDISE+ (Unified District Information System for Education Plus) 2025-26
- National Education Policy (NEP) pupil-teacher ratio norms
- Rajya Sabha question by MoS Education Jayant Chaudhary
- Andhra Pradesh: highest number of single-teacher schools
- Kerala: lowest number of single-teacher schools among major states
Mains angles
- GS2: Issues relating to development and management of social sector/services relating to education; teacher shortage and quality
- GS2: Role of states vs centre in education; federal issues in teacher deployment
- GS3: Use of technology in education and teacher requirement forecasting