Shortage of 1.2 million school teachers: Sibal

New Delhi, Aug 17: Human Resource Development Minister, Kapil Sibal, said that there is a shortage of 1.2 million teachers at the elementary level and nearly 200,000 for Class 9 and 10, on Tuesday, Aug 17 at New Delhi.

Addresing the 15th foundation day of the National Council for Teacher Education, Sibal said, "the availability of good teachers is the biggest challenge for the education system."

The issue of teachers training has been in focus, especially since the Right to Education Act has to be implemented in the country.

The HRD Ministry had recently held a series of dialogues with state education ministers to discuss various issues pertaining to implementing the right to education, including teachers training.

The minister said the states need to pay more attention towards improving the quality of teachers.

"We are in constant dialogue with the states and some have taken steps as well, but nothing will change unless better salaries and facilities are ensured to teachers," he said.

Sibal, however, added that efforts are afoot to ensure improvement in the standards and changes will be made in a year's time.

OneIndia News