Thiruvananthapuram: With a decrease in student enrolment in public schools, more than 4,000 teaching posts will likely be eliminated this academic year. When the number of students was checked on the sixth working day of the academic year, over 1.25 lakh fewer children were recorded compared to the previous year. The official report regarding post determination is yet to be released.

According to data from the Education Department, 3,400 class divisions across grades 1 to 10 are set to be cut this year, with 715 teaching positions affected in government primary schools alone. The division determination process, mandated by the High Court for the separate appointment of English teachers in high schools, is ongoing. As a result, the final figures for both student enrolment and teaching positions may still change, officials stated.

This year, there was a decrease of 7,163 children enrolled in first grade compared to last year. Last year, 258,149 children were enrolled in first grade in public schools, while this year the number dropped to 250,986.

The decline in enrolment extends beyond first grade, as new enrollments in classes two and above have also gone down. Teachers in aided schools can be redeployed to other institutions, but government will have to protect those who lose their posts in government schools. 

Last year, there were 12.23 lakh students in classes 1 to 10 in government schools. This year, that number has fallen to 11.60 lakhs. In aided schools, enrollment decreased from 21.81 lakhs  last year to 21.27 lakhs this year. The drop in government school enrollment compared to aided schools will lead to a proportional loss of  teaching posts. This situation may increase the burden on the government.

Job concerns in Higher Secondary Schools

In higher secondary education, around 350 teachers face uncertainty as their posts are at risk. This post determination process for the 2023-24 academic year has been completed.

Data shows a considerable decrease in the number of students in the districts of Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, and Ernakulam. It was reported that several classes have fewer than 25 students enrolled. As a result, 350 teachers are facing issues related to post determination in schools within these districts.