Lack of trained teachers hurting quality education

New Delhi, Dec 22: Lack of qualified and well-trained teachers is causing a serious hurdle in imparting quality education to the girl child, according to a Parliamentary Committee on Empowerment of Women.

"There is a shortage of at least 30 per cent (nearly seven lakh) teachers in the country at present," said the Committee, expressing grave concern about the impact it will have on the right of girl child to get free and quality education.

Representative of the ministry concerned, while deposing before the Committee, also admitted that there is lack of quality teachers in the country which is reflected by the fact that a meagre one to seven per cent teachers are able to qualify the Teacher Eligibility Test.

Against this backdrop, the Committee recommended that in addition to Teacher Education Mission Project to strengthen the teacher education system in the country, the Ministry of Human Resource Development should draw, in collaboration with states, a particular action plan for additional recruitment of quality teachers, especially female teachers.

Since the inception of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), a total of 19.84 lakh teacher posts has been sanctioned against which over 14.82 lakh teacher positions have been filled by states/UTs till September 30, 2013.

The Committee also asked the government to introduce a pilot project in consultation with the state governments to appoint lady counsellors in schools under SSA.

It observed finds that when education coincides with adolescence, various personal, social and emotional problems are created due to demands of adjustment in family or school situations.

"Thereby, the role of counsellors become important due to the fact that they are primarily trained in theory and practice of counselling and can appropriately guide girl students and help them develop the right attitude and competencies to cope with the educational, personal, social and career related problems and issues," said the Committee in its report.

PTI