Gujarat Government Faces Criticism Over Primary School; Read Why

The Gujarat government disclosed troubling statistics in the Assembly, revealing that as of December 31, 2023, 341 government primary schools in the state operate from a single room, despite a substantial budget allocation of Rs 43,651 crore for the education department in 2023-24.

Legislative Inquiry Reveals Concerns:

The revelation came in response to a question posed by Congress MLA Kirit Patel from Patan regarding the number of government primary schools with only one classroom. 

The government attributed the inadequate infrastructure to low student and teacher numbers and abandoned rooms due to dilapidation and insufficient land for expansion.

Recruitment Challenges on Gujarat Government:

Further scrutiny into the education sector highlighted significant staffing issues, with 439 vacant posts in Gujarat Education Service class-1 and 1,020 vacancies in class-II as of December 31, 2023. 

The government’s failure to recruit sufficient teachers has exacerbated the situation, leading to criticism from opposition parties.

Congress Spokesperson Slammed the Gujarat Government:

State Congress spokesperson Hiren Banker condemned the government’s handling of the education system, accusing it of prioritizing privatization over addressing critical deficiencies in public schools. 

Banker highlighted the contradiction between the government’s claim of teacher shortages and its failure to fill approved vacancies, pointing to over 19,000 vacant teacher positions in Gujarat.

Persistent Challenges in the Education Sector:

The grim state of affairs in Gujarat’s government primary schools underscores systemic challenges and the need for comprehensive reforms. 

Despite previous revelations that 1,606 government primary schools operate with only one teacher for all students across multiple grades, meaningful action to address these issues remains elusive.