9 hrs ago
Gujarat Officials Say They Cannot Transfer Teachers at Single-Teacher Schools
A report found that 2,335 schools in Gujarat had only one teacher.
The state education department sent notices to officials responsible for these schools.
The notices said the officials should arrange enough teachers and could face discipline.
The officials replied that they are not allowed to move or replace teachers.
They said the state government has that power.
Education Director Prakash Trivedi confirmed that the officials had sent explanations.
He said no one had been punished so far.
The state plans to hire permanent teachers for schools with no teachers or just one teacher.
Schools with no enrolled children are being considered for closure.
UDISE+ data for 2025-26 reported 2,335 Gujarat schools had just one teacher.
In August, the state education department issued notices to District Primary Education Officers and Administrative Officers over the staffing gaps.
The notices cited education and civil-service rules, alleging administrative failure and directing officials to arrange teachers.
The officials replied that they lack authority to transfer or replace teachers, saying those powers rest with the state government.
Education Director Prakash Trivedi said no action had been taken against the officials; the state plans permanent teacher recruitment and is processing closures of zero-enrolment schools.
- Who
- Gujarat District Primary Education Officers and Administrative Officers received notices from the state education department.
- What
- Officials were asked to address teacher shortages and replied that they lack authority to transfer or replace teachers.
- Where
- Gujarat, India.
- When
- The notices were issued in August; the cited UDISE+ report covers 2025-26.
- Why
- The notices followed data showing 2,335 schools had just one teacher and cited requirements to maintain pupil-teacher ratios.
Officials' response
Education department's position
Responsibility for filling teacher vacancies
Officials' response
District officials said they do not have the administrative power to transfer or replace teachers and argued that these measures are for the state government.
Education department's position
The department's notices held the officials accountable for not addressing staffing gaps, cited legal and service-rule obligations, and directed them to arrange teachers.
Key facts
- Single-teacher schools
- 2,335, according to the UDISE+ 2025-26 report
- Schools in Gujarat
- 53,425 government and private schools
- Children in single-teacher schools
- 80,053
- Teachers in zero-enrolment schools
- 74
- Average teachers per school
- Seven
- Average enrolment per school
- 217 students
- Action against officials
- No action had been taken at the time of Director Prakash Trivedi's statement
Quotes
District Primary Education Officer
A DPEO who was served with a notice, speaking anonymously.
“This is the response most of the DPEOs submitted against the show cause notices that were issued citing several rules. It is for the state government to take these measures and not the DPEOs who are not vested with any of these powers.”
indianexpress.com
“The DPEOs and AOs have submitted their explanations. No action has been taken against any of them so far.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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