Filling vacant positions in primary schools

The utter neglect and mismanagement crippling the country's primary education system have been starkly exposed by recent media reports highlighting the thousands of vacant teaching positions in primary schools including those of head teachers. Of the more than 65,000 sanctioned posts for headmasters, over 34,000 remain unfilled. This means nearly 52 per cent of primary schools are operating without head teachers. In addition, approximately 24,500 positions of assistant teachers are also lying vacant.

This acute shortage of teachers is severely hampering both the administrative functioning and academic performance of schools. Students -- particularly those in remote and marginalised areas -- are bearing the brunt of the crisis. Delays caused by protracted legal cases, bureaucratic red tape, absence of fresh recruitment, exam deferrals and sluggish promotion processes have only served to deepen the problem. Even under normal conditions, primary students often advance through the grades with significant learning deficiencies due to poor instructional quality. The ongoing teacher shortage has only compounded this issue, experts warn. As a result, the foundation of the education system is becoming increasingly fragile. Addressing this requires more than just filling the posts; it demands ensuring that every school has a sufficient number of well-qualified teachers.

In response to the worsening crisis, the Chief Adviser has reportedly directed the authorities for filling the vacant positions immediately. At a meeting held Monday afternoon, he also stressed the importance of evaluating the candidates' skills in selecting new head teachers. According to a press release from his office, the Chief Adviser mentioned several key criteria for the recruitment process, including years of experience, but also recommended that younger candidates be considered. Additionally, he instructed the authorities to revise existing teacher transfer guidelines to include a clear and transparent procedure.

According to the Annual Primary School Census (APSC) conducted by the Directorate of Primary Education, there are currently 114,630 primary schools in the country, of which 65,567 are government-run. These schools collectively serve nearly 20 million students -- about 10 million of whom are enrolled in government institutions. In the past, 60 per cent of assistant teachers' posts were reserved for women under the quota system. However, in 2023, a revised quota policy was introduced for recruitment across public, semi-public, and autonomous bodies. Under the new guidelines, 93 per cent of positions across all grades are to be filled on merit, with the remaining 7.0 per cent reserved for special quotas.

Reports suggest that legal complications -- particularly court injunctions related to promotions -- have stalled recruitment and career progression for years. It is now of critical importance that these barriers be resolved without further delay. The vacant posts must be filled urgently to prevent irreversible damage to the very foundation of the country's education system. Beyond immediate recruitment, lasting reform requires the establishment of a transparent and efficient mechanism for teachers' promotion and appointment -- one that prioritises competence above all. Anything less would be a disservice not just to the teaching profession, but to the next generation of students and the nation's broader development aspirations.