Question : PUPIL TEACHER RATIO

(a) whether the Government is concerned about the pupil teacher ratio in the primary education in rural areas which is affecting the quality of education at the primary level and if so, the reasons therefor;

(b) whether the poor standard of teachers in schools of rural areas is a matter of grave concern and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has instructed State Governments to deploy adequate teachers in rural areas to maintain the pupil teacher ratio;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the State Governments in this regard; and

(e) the action taken by the Government to improve the quality of education at elementary level by placing adequate number of teaching staff in the rural areas across the country?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)

(a) to (e) : As per Universal District Information System of Education (UDISE) – 2013-14, the pupil teacher ratio in rural areas has improved from 30:1 in 2011-12 to 27:1 in 2013-14.

Under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), State/Union Territory (UT) governments have appointed 15.06 lakh teachers upto 31.03.2014. The Government of India has also directed the States to recruit teachers and deploy them in schools as per the Pupil Teacher Ratio enunciated in the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE), 2009 Act.