‘Unfit’: The Only Word Which Describes Bihar And West Bengal Teachers, Says Study, Despite Big Educational Budgets

A study conducted by Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability (CBGA) and Child Rights and You (CRY) shows that the there is an extreme shortage of teachers in government schools, thus slowing down quality education, reports India Today.

Despite an increased school education budget in many states, the lack of qualified teachers and proper infrastructure remain significant hurdles, says the study.

It analysed the school budget of the following states - Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

The study pointed out that despite increased financial allocation for education under the 14th Finance Commission, there has been no proper utilisation to change the school’s education spending composition. Thus, the under-spending of the money has led to poorly qualified teachers and required infrastructure. This lack of competent teachers was filled in by recruiting under-qualified and contractual teachers.

In terms of untrained teachers, Bihar has 38.7 per cent at the elementary level, and 35.1 at the secondary level, followed by West Bengal at 31.4 per cent and 23.9 per cent respectively.