Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha addressed the Assembly on Tuesday, highlighting the severe shortage of teachers in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC). He revealed that 302 primary schools in tribal-majority areas are being run by a single teacher each, making it difficult to provide quality education to students. The shortage has led to rising dropout rates, particularly among children from marginalized communities.
Saha explained that the government has been working to address the crisis by recruiting more teachers, but the process has been slow due to administrative and financial constraints. The lack of adequate teaching staff has forced students to attend school irregularly, and in many cases, families have stopped sending their children altogether. This situation has raised concerns about the long-term educational prospects of tribal children, who already face significant challenges in accessing quality education.
The Chief Minister pointed out that many tribal students drop out before completing primary education. Economic hardship and the necessity of contributing to household income often force children to leave school early. The absence of adequate infrastructure, including proper classrooms and learning materials, has further worsened the situation.
In response to the crisis, Saha announced that the state government is preparing a comprehensive plan to improve the education system in tribal areas. He said that efforts are underway to recruit more teachers, upgrade school infrastructure, and introduce digital learning tools to bridge the gap. He also emphasized the need for better coordination between the state government and TTAADC to ensure that resources are allocated efficiently.
While discussing possible solutions, the Chief Minister mentioned that the government is considering incentives to attract more teachers to tribal regions. Financial benefits, housing facilities, and career advancement opportunities may help encourage qualified professionals to work in remote schools. The administration is also exploring community engagement programs to create awareness about the importance of education.
Opposition leaders expressed concern over the worsening dropout rate and demanded immediate action. They urged the government to expedite recruitment and ensure that vacant teaching positions are filled without delay. Some legislators pointed out that similar issues have persisted for years, and mere promises will not be enough to solve the crisis.
Educational experts have stressed that the state must adopt a multi-pronged strategy to tackle the issue. Strengthening mid-day meal programs, providing transportation facilities for students, and involving local communities in school management could help improve retention rates. Experts also recommend integrating vocational training with traditional education to make schooling more relevant to the needs of tribal communities.
Parents in tribal areas have expressed their frustration over the lack of consistent schooling for their children. Many have complained that their children have to walk long distances to reach schools that often remain closed due to the absence of teachers. Some families have even relocated to urban centers in search of better educational opportunities, further depopulating villages and putting additional pressure on city schools.
Teachers working in tribal schools have also voiced their concerns. Many have reported feeling overwhelmed by managing multiple grades in a single classroom. Without proper support and additional resources, they struggle to provide quality education. Some teachers have demanded that the government introduce special training programs to equip them with better teaching strategies for handling multi-grade classrooms.
The issue of teacher shortage and high dropout rates in tribal areas has been a long-standing challenge in Tripura. Despite multiple initiatives over the years, the problem remains unresolved. The government now faces increasing pressure to take concrete steps and implement lasting solutions.
Saha assured the Assembly that his administration is committed to improving education in tribal areas. He said that discussions with education department officials and tribal leaders are ongoing, and a roadmap will be finalized soon. He also urged lawmakers to support policies that will ensure every child in Tripura has access to quality education.
The success of any intervention will depend on swift implementation and continuous monitoring. If the government fails to act decisively, another generation of tribal children may be left without the education they need to build a better future.
