Education Director admits to teacher shortage
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 03 2025: Only about 51 percent vacancies have been filled against 17,000 sanctioned posts of teachers, Education (S) Director Ng Bhogendra has said.

He revealed this while answering queries from reporters regarding shortage of teachers in schools, and on a report that has claimed presence of two Principals in Heirok Higher Secondary School.

The Education (S) Director, who was attending an event at the City Convention Centre, said schools in the State are facing shortages of teachers due to the sheer number of vacant posts that have not been filled.

The sanctioned number of posts of teacher is 17,000, and only around 51 percent of these posts have been filled�meaning there is a massive vacancy of 49 percent.

This is the reason for schools facing shortage of teachers, Bhogendra said.

While there are vacancies, some of the posts have been filled recently, he said.

90 Arts Graduate teachers, who were earlier on the waiting list, were recruited recently, and an additional 174 vacant posts of teachers have been filled following an order of the Supreme Court, Bhogendra said.

On the issue of transfer and posting, Bhogendra said steps have been taken up to avoid midterm transfer of teachers.

Transfer and posting of teachers are done according to the needs of the schools.

While steps have been taken up to not effect transfer of teachers during the midterm, there may arise circumstances which could warrant transfer of teachers.

Out of necessity, teachers may be transferred on health grounds, and under unavoidable circumstances, Bhogendra said.

Further, the Manipur crisis which erupted on May 3, 2023 has affected the education sector.

Around 600 teachers are unable to join their place of posting due to the conflict, he said.

Answering questions about the claim that there are two Principals in Heirok Higher Secondary School, Bhogendra said the Education Department and relevant authorities have launched an inquiry.

The Education Department takes the matter very seriously.

The Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) concerned has been informed, and the facts surrounding the claim will come out once the enquiry is completed, Bhogendra said.

Notably, the Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) hasd yesterday alleged that there were two Principals at Heirok Higher Secondary School.

While there is a regular Principal of the school, a former Principal in-charge was found functioning as the Principal, DESAM had claimed, urging authorities concerned to investigate and take appropriate actions against erring teachers.

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