Teachers’ shortage: 1890 positions vacant in Dakshina Kannada – Udupi

Manglauru/Udupi: There is an acute shortage of teachers in the government schools in the twin coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. As many as 1890 posts in primary and High school teachers in the districts remain vacant.

In the Dakshina Kannada district, out of 3,729 posts approved for primary schools, only 2,701 have been filled and 1,028 vacant. In high schools, out of 1,172 posts, 959 have been filled and 213 are vacant.

Out of 2,174 posts in primary schools in Udupi, 1,646 have been filled and 528 posts are vacant. Only 731 posts have been filled out of the 851 positions in high schools in the district and 120 are vacant.

The government had assured to appoint guest teachers to fill these vacancies. However, the government is yet to start the recruitment process.

During the pandemic, enrollments in government schools have increased. With the schools and colleges reopening for physical classes, the existing teachers are burdened with extra work.

A similar situation is seen in government-aided schools also. The management of these schools is waiting for the government’s go-ahead to fill the vacancies.

Only the unaided schools that recruit teachers independently are not facing any shortages at the moment.

In Government degree colleges affiliated with Mangalore University, almost 60 percent of teaching posts are vacant. Even though guest lecturers are appointed every year, there has been no new recruitment of lecturers in the year 2021-22. The terms of 900 guest lecturers ended on September 22 and are now staring at an uncertain future.