The pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) is far from satisfactory in the elementary and secondary schools of the state with respect to the right to Education norms. Only about 19% of upper primary schools are having teachers for three core subjects and 30% of secondary schools are having teachers for all the core subjects.
These facts have been revealed by the proceedings of the recent meeting of the project approval board of Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan for finalising the annual plan andbudgetof the state for 2023-24. As per data made available, subject PTR at the upper primary level is 112 for language, 150 for mathematics and science, and 204 for social studies.RTEnorms suggest one teacher for every 30 pupil.
Worse is the situation in secondary schools of the state. The PTR at the secondary level is 192 for language, 351 for mathematics, 253 for science and 194 for social studies.
The data furnished by the state education department indicate that there were more than 1.92 lakh vacant posts of teachers in government elementary schools against which only about 80,000 posts have been advertised by theBihar Commission (Bpsc) recently for recruitment of teachers for students of classes 1 to 5. Not a single post of teacher has been advertised for students of classes 6 to 8.