Over 2,700 Teacher Posts Vacant in Kerala Government Schools, Malappuram Worst Hit
As many as 2,734 teachers' posts are vacant in government primary and high schools across Kerala, according to a written reply by General Education Minister N. Samsudheen in the state Assembly. The vacancies span lower primary, upper primary, and high school categories, with the highest concentration in Malappuram district.
The breakdown of vacancies includes 737 lower primary teacher posts, 737 upper primary teacher posts, and 1,260 high school teacher posts. Malappuram leads with 464 total vacancies, of which 248 are in high schools. Kozhikode follows with 270 vacancies, including 138 high school posts. In the lower primary category, Malappuram again tops the list with 128 vacancies, followed by Ernakulam with 76. For upper primary posts, Thiruvananthapuram has the highest number at 113, with Malappuram (88) and Ernakulam (85) close behind.
Idukki district reports the fewest vacancies, with 41 total, while Palakkad has 84. The data highlights a significant disparity in teacher availability across districts.
Beyond primary and high schools, vacancies also exist in government higher secondary schools (HSS). There are 225 higher secondary teacher posts and 713 higher secondary teacher (junior) posts vacant. In vocational higher secondary schools, 378 vocational teacher posts and 156 vocational instructor posts remain unfilled, with the latter currently filled through daily wage appointments. Additionally, 14 non-vocational teacher (junior) posts and 4 non-vocational teacher (senior) posts are vacant.
The Minister explained that the total number of teaching posts in government schools is determined based on student headcount taken on the sixth working day of the academic year. After reorganising teachers affected by division fall (where a division is merged or removed), the remaining vacancies will be reported to the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) for filling through permanent appointments. However, permanent appointments are not made for vocational teacher and instructor posts in vocational higher secondary schools, as these are classified as 'vanishing' categories due to fluctuating demand.
Other vacancies, except those reserved for teachers completing deputation or returning from loss of pay leave, have already been reported to the PSC. Steps are also underway to fill higher secondary school teacher and higher secondary teacher (junior) vacancies through PSC examinations and by-transfer appointments, the Minister said.
The teacher shortage in Kerala's government schools has been a recurring issue, impacting the quality of education and student-teacher ratios. The government's commitment to filling these vacancies through the PSC process is aimed at ensuring that schools are adequately staffed for the academic year.
