Patna: In the wake of large-scale teacher transfers across Bihar, at least 29 government schools have been left without a single teacher, according to a state education department review. An additional 354 schools now operate with just one teacher each, creating a significant disruption in public education delivery.
Additional Chief Secretary of the Education Department, S Siddharth, has issued urgent directives to all District Magistrates to temporarily depute teachers in schools that have become teacherless or critically understaffed. “Immediate action is necessary to restore academic activities and ensure the education of children is not hampered,” Siddharth stated in a letter to district officials.
The review revealed that the mass transfers, conducted under special circumstances, have led to major imbalances in teacher distribution. In several cases, the student-teacher ratio exceeds 40:1—well above recommended levels.
District Magistrates have now been tasked with ensuring that each primary school has at least three teachers. Additionally, subject-specific teachers must be deployed at middle and higher secondary levels.
The department has emphasised that local officials should assess the situation on the ground and address the shortages through temporary deputation until permanent appointments are made.
