Teacher Shortage and Infrastructure Gaps Plague Punjab's Government Schools: Samagra Shiksha Report
Despite the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government's emphasis on improving public education, the sector continues to suffer from significant shortcomings, according to the latest Project Approval Report under the Samagra Shiksha initiative.
The report points to a substantial shortage of teachers across government schools. Government elementary schools in the state currently have 5,638 vacancies, while senior secondary schools face a shortfall of 3,612 teachers. “The vacancies signify a gap in the education system, indicating the urgent need for proactive measures… the state needs to fill these vacant posts on priority,” the report stresses.
In addition to staffing issues, the report highlights severe imbalances in student enrolment and teacher distribution. Out of 19,330 government schools in Punjab, 7,182 have enrolment rates below 50 percent. Alarmingly, 2,451 schools are operating with only one teacher. The percentage of schools with an adverse Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR) at the elementary level stands at 26.98 percent. The report calls for an urgent rationalisation of teacher postings and a comprehensive strategy to ensure adequate staffing in all schools, especially at the elementary level.
Infrastructure deficiencies further compound the challenges. The report identifies major delays in the construction of basic facilities, including toilets for students, additional classrooms, integrated science laboratories, and skill education labs. Notably, the pendency rate for constructing girls’ toilets is 17 percent—considerably higher than the 4.98 percent pending for boys’ toilets.
Labeling these pending projects as “committed liabilities” under the Samagra Shiksha framework, the report urges the state government to formulate a clear and time-bound action plan to complete the unfinished infrastructure and address systemic issues affecting quality education delivery in Punjab.
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