Single-teacher schools in Odisha rise 34% in a year, says UDISE+ report

The number of single-teacher schools in Odisha has increased sharply over the past year, according to the UDISE+ 2025–26 report released by the Union Ministry of Education.

The report shows that Odisha had 1,458 single-teacher schools in the 2025–26 academic year, up from 1,089 in 2024–25, an increase of 369 schools, or nearly 34 per cent. Compared with 1,065 such schools in 2023–24, the number has risen by 393, or around 37 per cent, over the past two years.

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According to the report, 59,672 students are currently enrolled in single-teacher schools across Odisha, an increase of 11,732 over the previous year.

Reacting to the report, the Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) accused the BJP government of failing to address the shortage of teachers in government schools.

Citing the report, BJD spokesperson and media coordinator Dr Lenin Mohanty said the official data contradicted the State government’s claims of strengthening school education through large-scale teacher recruitment.

Dr Mohanty said the situation had disproportionately affected children in rural, tribal and remote areas, where access to quality education is already limited.

He alleged that teachers in such schools are compelled to manage multiple classes and subjects while simultaneously handling administrative responsibilities, including maintaining school records and implementing government schemes, thereby affecting the quality of classroom teaching.

Questioning the government’s recruitment claims, Dr Mohanty said the rise in the number of single-teacher schools pointed to poor human resource planning, delays in recruitment, slow promotions and inadequate deployment of teachers.

Since teacher retirements are known well in advance, he argued, the government should have anticipated vacancies and ensured timely appointments.

The BJD demanded that the State government immediately fill all vacant teaching posts, expedite pending recruitment and promotion processes, and prioritise appointments in tribal and remote regions. It also urged the government to ensure that every government school has at least three to four teachers.

Describing the increase in single-teacher schools as a serious challenge to the State’s education system, the Opposition said the future of nearly 60,000 students should not be compromised because of administrative shortcomings.