Puducherry Government School Students Protest Over Lack of Teachers
In a bold display of frustration, hundreds of students from Puducherry’s government schools boycotted classes and protested outside the Directorate of School Education on Tuesday, demanding immediate action to address severe teacher shortages.
Why Are Students Protesting?
The protest was sparked by months of unaddressed teacher vacancies, leaving critical subjects like mathematics, science, and languages uncovered. Students from schools such as Government Higher Secondary School, Lawspet, and Government Girls’ Higher Secondary School reported long-standing vacancies affecting their education.
“We haven’t had a permanent math teacher for over a year. How are we supposed to prepare for board exams?” — Priya M., Class 12 Student
A Deep-Rooted Crisis in Education
Puducherry has faced teacher shortages for years, with nearly 30% of sanctioned positions lying vacant. Delayed recruitment, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and lack of replacements for retiring teachers have worsened the situation.
R. Karthikeyan, Education Activist:
“This violates the Right to Education Act, which guarantees a minimum teacher-student ratio. The government must act now.”
Government’s Delayed Response
While the Education Minister, A. Namassivayam, acknowledged the issue, he cited administrative delays in the Teachers’ Eligibility Test (TET) and budget constraints as hurdles.
Students remain skeptical:
“Every protest brings promises, but nothing changes.” — Arun S., Student Leader
Students’ Key Demands
- Immediate recruitment of qualified teachers.
- Transparent hiring process to prevent delays.
- Regular monitoring of teacher attendance.
- Compensatory classes for missed syllabus portions.
The protest has gained momentum on social media with hashtags like #SavePuducherrySchools and #TeachersForPuducherry, drawing support from parents and activists.
A National Education Crisis
Puducherry’s struggle reflects a broader issue—states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal also face severe teacher shortages, impacting learning outcomes nationwide.
What’s Next for Puducherry’s Students?
With protests intensifying, pressure mounts on the government to act. Students vow to continue demonstrations until tangible solutions are implemented.
This is a critical fight for education rights—stay updated as the story develops.
