A recent report by the Uttarakhand State Rural Development and Migration Commission has shed light on the severe challenges plaguing the state’s education sector, revealing that thousands of schools are struggling due to a lack of teachers and principals.
According to the 210-page report, published on March 10, 3,504 schools in Uttarakhand are being managed by a single teacher, while nearly 59% of schools—10,470 out of 17,787—are operating without a principal. The report further highlights that 263 schools lack subject-specific teachers, with 249 of these located in hilly districts, exacerbating the educational crisis in rural areas.
The study also found that 19,643 classrooms across the state have no student enrollment, while 8,324 classrooms have only one student. Moreover, in 180 schools, 242 teachers are assigned to teach just one student each, raising concerns about resource allocation and efficiency in the education system.
Migration and Educational Crisis
Sharad Singh Negi, Vice Chairman of the commission, linked the declining quality of education to the state’s migration problem. “The lack of quality education is a key contributor to migration. Many families move out of rural areas due to inadequate schooling facilities,” Negi stated. The commission’s investigation, which included field visits and discussions with teachers and officials, found that primary schools were particularly affected, with many suffering from a shortage of educators and administrative heads.
Recommendations for Improvement
The report outlined several recommendations to address these challenges, including:
- Mandatory Residence for Teachers: Teachers should reside within 8-10 km of their assigned schools.
- Dropout Documentation: A system should be established to track students who drop out due to migration.
- Revised Transfer Policy: A new transfer policy for teachers should be developed based on local conditions.
- Incentives for Rural Teachers: Special allowances should be introduced for educators working in remote areas.
- Promotion of E-Learning: Digital learning initiatives should be expanded in rural schools.
- Cluster Schools Concept: The commission praised the education department’s cluster schools project, which aims to merge schools within a 5 km radius that have either too few students or an excess of teachers. The report recommended extending this model to Classes 1 to 5 within three years.
Alarming Migration Trends
The commission, which was established in 2017 to analyze migration patterns and suggest solutions, has previously reported alarming trends in rural-to-urban migration. Its 2018 study found that over 3.83 lakh people had left their villages in the decade prior, with nearly half seeking employment opportunities. It also identified 734 villages that had been entirely abandoned between 2011 and 2018.
A follow-up report in 2023 noted that while permanent migration had slowed between 2018 and 2022, temporary migration had risen. During this period, 24 additional villages became uninhabited, with Tehri Garhwal, Champawat, Pauri Garhwal, and Pithoragarh among the most affected districts. Lack of road connectivity remains a critical issue, as 6,291 villages are still not connected by roads, with Almora district being the worst affected.
Impact of COVID-19 on Migration
The COVID-19 pandemic briefly reversed migration trends, with 3.5 lakh people returning to Uttarakhand during the first wave in 2020 and 1.15 lakh returning in 2021. However, the commission estimates that 90% of these individuals eventually returned to their previous locations once the situation normalized.
To better understand migration patterns, the commission is planning to release a report on reverse migration and the impact of COVID-19 on livelihoods in hilly areas.
Government’s Next Steps
With the education sector facing significant hurdles, the report has called for urgent intervention from the Uttarakhand government. Experts believe that implementing the recommendations, especially filling vacant teaching positions, improving infrastructure, and enhancing digital learning initiatives, could help prevent further migration and strengthen the state’s rural education system.
Sources By Agencies