H D Kote taluk hit by lack of teachers in schools

While there are more than 30 government high schools in H D Kote taluk, the number of English teachers is only five. Besides, there is an acute shortage of Science teachers.

Of the eight Urdu Schools, there are no Urdu teachers in two of them and there is a shortage of other teachers.

Even as Teachers’ Counselling is being held at the department of Public Instruction, the number of teachers opting for transfers out of H D Kote taluk is high, compared to other taluks.

So, H D Kote taluk lagged behind in the recently announced SSLC results.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, M Udaykumar, Block Education Officer, said, out of the 1,200 sanctioned posts of teachers in H D Kote taluk, 303 posts are vacant, affecting the students.

“About 30-40 teachers get transferred away from the taluk, on an annual basis, citing various reasons. Both existing vacancies and the vacancies created due to transfers are not being filled,” he said.

Compared to the number of teachers who seek transfer out of the taluk, the number of transfers seeking transfer to the taluk is only five to six every year, he said. Apart from this, there are 40 single-teacher schools in the taluk.

Schools in Sagare, Saragur, D B Kuppe and near tribal haadis of H D Kote taluk are worst affected by shortage of teachers, since teachers do not prefer to work in such far flung areas.

“Moreover, as many as 30-40 per cent of the teachers commute from Mysore,” he said.
Decision

H D Kote Taluk Panchayat has decided not to relieve teachers who are transferred to other taluks, until alternative arrangements are made, owing to problems affecting the quality of education.

Udaykumar said, a request has been made with the Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI) to depute more guest teachers during the current academic year. Last year, the taluk was allotted only 72 guest teachers, he said.

DDPI H R Basappa said, H D Kote taluk will be prioritised, followed by Hunsur and Periyapatna during the allotment of guest teachers during the month of August for the current academic year.

“We will also make arrangements for local appointments for schools in the taluk,” he said.

He added that teachers who have sought transfer from the taluk will be relieved only after guest teachers are appointed.