Government schools in Punjab face a severe teacher shortage crisis. The Government Teachers Union report says 50% of principal posts, 46% of head teacher posts, and 33% of Block Primary Education Officer (BPEO) posts are vacant.
In Ropar, Education Minister Harjot Bains’ home district, 9 of 10 BPEO posts are vacant. Union leaders questioned why the government sends teachers abroad for training while local schools lack staff.
District-level vacancies are high: Mansa has 82 principal posts vacant, Barnala 77, Kapurthala 73, Faridkot 30, and Tarn Taran 55. Among head teachers, Tarn Taran has 78 vacancies, Nawanshahr 32, Kapurthala 39, Barnala 23, and Ludhiana 83.
The union demanded immediate promotions to fill the posts. Education Minister Harjot Bains said the Cabinet has approved new recruitment rules. He assured that promotions will happen soon and postings will be rationalised.
