Odisha Government Cracks Down on Single-Teacher Schools
In a bid to ensure that every child in the state has access to quality education, the Odisha government has issued a directive to district collectors to review the staffing in elementary schools. The move is aimed at complying with the provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.
A Plea to Collectors
In a letter dated August 6, School and Mass Education (S&ME) department Secretary N Thirumala Naik urged the collectors to take immediate action to address the issue of single-teacher schools in their districts. Naik requested the collectors to review the status of all single-teacher schools in their districts and take urgent steps to deploy or adjust teachers to ensure that every school has at least the minimum number of teachers prescribed under the RTE Act.
A Long-Standing Concern
The issue of single-teacher schools has been a long-standing concern in the state. According to official sources, Odisha has as many as 1,458 single-teacher schools, affecting the education of nearly 60,000 students as of the 2025-26 academic session. The Secretary drew the attention of the collectors to the fact that the provisions of the RTE Act, particularly Sections 19 and 25 read with the Schedule appended thereto, prescribe the minimum norms and standards for schools, including the prescribed Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR) and minimum number of teachers required in elementary schools.
A Call for Action
Naik emphasized that the recent UDISE+ data shows that a considerable number of government schools in the state are presently functioning with only one teacher. Such a situation adversely affects the quality of education and is inconsistent with the norms prescribed under the RTE Act. Therefore, the Secretary asked the collectors to complete the rationalisation of such schools within a month and furnish an action taken report (ATR) in this regard to the department within 15 days of receipt of the letter.
Priority to Schools with Higher Enrolment
The Secretary also asked the collectors to accord priority to schools with higher student enrolment. This is a welcome move, as it ensures that schools with a larger number of students receive the attention they need to provide quality education.
A Matter of Urgency
The Secretary described the matter as “most urgent” and asked the collectors to treat it with the highest priority. This is a clear indication of the government’s commitment to addressing the issue of single-teacher schools and ensuring that every child in the state has access to quality education.
In conclusion, the Odisha government’s directive to district collectors to review the staffing in elementary schools is a step in the right direction. It is a move that will ensure that every child in the state has access to quality education and will help to improve the overall education system in the state.