Government primary and secondary schools in the border district of Belagavi are set to reopen after the summer vacation at the end of May. However, they will once again confront persistent challenges due to acute shortages of teachers and basic infrastructure. Officials have reported a shortfall of more than 4,900 teachers across the district's two educational divisions, affecting both primary and high schools.
School Closures and Parent Concerns
Several schools have already been shut down in recent years because of inadequate facilities, staff shortages, and a steady decline in educational quality. Parents have expressed concern that enrollment in government schools may continue to drop unless these long-pending issues are addressed urgently.
Teacher Vacancy Data
According to officials from the school education and literacy department, the Belagavi educational district has 1,358 primary schools that require 7,957 teachers. However, only 6,338 teachers are currently working, leaving 1,619 posts vacant. In the Chikodi educational district, 1,682 primary schools require 9,211 teachers, but only 6,790 are in position, resulting in 2,421 vacancies.
The shortage is equally severe at the high school level. The 138 high schools in the Belagavi division require 1,404 teachers, of whom only 1,090 are working, leaving 314 posts vacant. In the Chikodi division, 232 high schools need 1,906 teachers, while only 1,359 are deployed, resulting in 567 vacancies.
In total, out of 17,168 sanctioned primary teacher posts in both divisions, only 13,128 are filled, leaving 4,040 vacancies. Of the 3,310 sanctioned high school posts, 831 remain vacant. Officials said that transfers and retirements over the years, coupled with delays in recruitment, have worsened the situation.
Impact on Learning
Every year, guest teachers are recruited in July and August, after the academic year begins, parents said, hampering learning. They have demanded that vacancies be filled or guest teachers appointed before schools reopen. Deputy Director Leelavati Hiremath said the department has urged the government to fill vacancies and will take steps to appoint guest teachers in time. Chikodi Deputy Director RS Seetaram said measures will be taken to ensure students' learning does not suffer.
The overall teacher shortfall in Belagavi district stands at more than 4,871 teachers, with 4,040 vacancies in primary schools and 831 in high schools. Division-wise, Belagavi division has 1,619 primary and 314 high school vacancies, while Chikodi division has 2,421 primary and 567 high school vacancies. The recurring issue of hiring guest teachers months after the session begins continues to disrupt education quality.
