Ahmedabad: The new academic year in Gujarat began on Monday, but a severe shortage of 'Gyan Sahayaks' is raising serious concerns over students' education. With appointments yet to be made, many schools are being forced to run classes without adequate teaching staff, directly impacting the quality of learning.
Scope of the Shortage
According to sources, government and grant-in-aid schools across the state are facing a significant shortage of teachers. A key reason behind this situation is the retirement of a large number of teachers on May 31, which left thousands of posts vacant. The education department is being criticised for allegedly failing to make advance arrangements to fill these vacancies.
Contract Non-Renewal Worsens Crisis
The issue has worsened as contracts of last year's Gyan Sahayaks have not been renewed. In previous years, schools were allowed to appoint temporary or visiting teachers to manage such gaps. However, due to the government's continued insistence on implementing the Gyan Sahayak scheme, permission to appoint visiting teachers has not been granted.
Impact on Students
As a result, students in urban, rural, and remote areas are struggling due to a lack of proper academic guidance. The situation has led to growing concern and dissatisfaction among both students and educators. Many schools are operating with reduced teaching hours or combined classes, further compromising the educational experience.
Demands for Immediate Action
The academic federation has submitted a representation to the state's education minister, urging immediate recruitment and necessary policy changes to address the crisis and ensure uninterrupted education for students. The federation has called for expedited hiring of Gyan Sahayaks and a review of the policy restricting visiting teachers.
As the academic year progresses, stakeholders hope for swift government intervention to mitigate the shortage and restore normalcy in classrooms across Gujarat.
