Why Are Teachers in Raipur Protesting Against the Chhattisgarh Government's School Rationalisation Policy?

Raipur, May 28 (NationPress) Nearly 10,000 members from twenty-three teachers' unions marched in protest on Wednesday against the Chhattisgarh government's controversial decision to rationalise school education. Their demonstration aimed to reach the state secretariat on Tuta Road.

Anger regarding the policy compelled thousands of educators to rally, fearing that this initiative could threaten both their jobs and the overall quality of education.

On May 27, the Chhattisgarh government announced plans to rationalise 10,463 schools statewide. Educators are anxious that this could lead to the termination of positions for approximately 43,000 teachers.

Despite extensive police presence, protestors managed to breach initial barricades, voicing their discontent with the state government and demanding a swift reversal of the policy.

Educators contend that rationalisation would undermine government schools, arguing that it is impractical for two teachers to effectively manage eighteen classes.

Former Deputy Chief Minister T.S. Singh Deo has publicly condemned the decision, deeming it unfair and harmful to the future of students in the state.

Conversely, the government asserts that the restructuring is necessary to enhance educational standards and ensure a fair distribution of teachers.

In statements to IANS, Singh Deo remarked that this isn't a novel initiative. He recalled that during the BJP administration, around 2,000 to 2,500 schools were closed under the guise of rationalisation, and now a similar endeavor is being repeated.

While it may be reasonable to remove teachers from schools with excess staff, he stressed that the alarming reality persists in areas with teacher shortages.

Data indicates that out of over 56,000 government schools in Chhattisgarh, more than 5,500 are single-teacher institutions, and some lack teachers completely.

He criticized the government’s approach as fundamentally flawed if it is driven solely by cost-cutting. Beyond educational ramifications, the policy adversely affects employment.

Some educators have already lost their jobs, while others face lengthy commutes to their new postings. The dwindling number of vacancies intensifies pressure, increasing workloads on remaining staff and raising concerns of teacher burnout.

The government claims that numerous schools have a surplus of teachers, while others suffer from a lack of staff. Official statistics reveal that 6,872 primary schools have only one teacher, and 212 schools have none. Among 13,149 pre-middle schools, 255 have just one teacher, and 48 schools are entirely devoid of educators.

The National Education Policy 2020 recommends a maximum of thirty students per teacher.

In Chhattisgarh, the current ratio is between twenty-two and twenty-six students per teacher, which is generally accepted. However, teachers worry that rationalisation could disrupt this equilibrium. Teacher organisations and other groups have accused the government of attempting to sidestep new recruitments through this policy.

The state currently requires 12,832 teachers, but post-rationalisation, this figure may drop to 5,370. An office bearer from Shikshak Sajha Manch, Chhattisgarh, indicated that merging schools with fewer students will further diminish recruitment needs, alleviating pressure on the government to hire additional teachers.

While rationalisation is often perceived as a strategy for resource optimisation, critics argue that it is being misapplied in this instance to rationalise staff reductions.

Data shows that thousands of schools either lack teachers or have only one educator managing multiple classes.

Even though the National Education Policy 2020 advises a student-teacher ratio of thirty to one, Chhattisgarh maintains a ratio of twenty-two to twenty-six students per teacher, which is considered acceptable. However, educators fear that the rationalisation initiative will upset this balance, ultimately impacting student learning.

Government officials argue that the decision aligns with policies aimed at improving infrastructure and reducing dropout rates. Nonetheless, the state has not offered a clear rationale for the move. Despite assurances, educators remain skeptical, insisting that the policy prioritises efficiency over genuine educational advancement.

The discussion continues, with teachers resolute in their opposition to changes they believe could undermine the state's educational system.