Gulmi district witnesses shortage of teachers

by Tilachan Pandey,Tamghas (Gulmi), June 5: It has been very difficult to find teachers for mathematics, English, and science in Gulmi.  Dhurkot Rural Municipality has stated that even after advertising for the fourth time for a mathematics teacher with federal grant at the Jnanoday Madhyamik School, it has still been difficult to find one. 

The chief administrative officer, Gyanuram Panthi, informed that the municipality has advertised for a secondary level (ninth, tenth) mathematics teacher for the fourth time. He mentioned that even until the final day of the fourth advertisement, which is on the 20th of Jestha, no applications have been received. Panthi also stated that the advertisement for primary level teachers has been done for the second time. He complained that additional problems arise because everyone is interested in the city, teachers are unwilling to come to the village. 

Musikot managed to recruit a teacher a few months ago for the Musikot Janajyoti Secondary School in the district, after the sixth advertisement for a mathematics teacher at the municipality's Musikot Secondary School. 

Similarly, the chief of the municipality's education branch, Prakash Nepali, informed that they also struggled to find an English teacher for Shiva Shankar Secondary School even after six attempts. Furthermore, he mentioned that for Dadalka Secondary School of the same municipality, a mathematics teacher was recruited for the third time, and for Nepal National Secondary School and Sitapur Secondary School, it was also challenging to get a teacher for secondary science. 

A Nepali individual stated that there are several issues, including a lack of prospects in Nepal's teaching profession, which leads to the need for foreign migration and a lack of respect for the teaching profession, as well as the absence of governmental perspective akin to that of the civil service. He mentioned that preventing entry into education for those without a license and the lack of availability of licensed individuals indicate a problem in the state's policy. 

Recently, the lack of interest in teaching and the increasing attraction towards foreign employment are contributing to the shortage of teachers, as stated by the Education Development and Coordination Unit of Gulmi. 

The Education Development and Coordination Unit in Gulmi has stated that the lack of teachers is a reason for this. According to the head of the unit, Thaneswar Ghimire, some teachers are leaving their jobs and taking leave, which has contributed to the teacher shortage. 

He admitted that there is a shortage of teachers in mathematics, English, and science in the district. He mentioned that this problem is not only limited to Gulmi but is also observed throughout the country. 

The educational development and coordination unit in Gulmi has reported that there are 590 schools and 56,203 students, including community and institutional schools. The office has stated that there are permanent positions for 3,153 individuals in schools ranging from early childhood education to class 12 in the district.