India’s education system continues to face a significant challenge with the existence of over one lakh single-teacher schools across the country. According to the Ministry of Education’s latest report for 2024–25, a total of 1,04,125 schools are being run by just one teacher, catering to over 33.7 lakh students nationwide. This means, on average, a single teacher is responsible for teaching around 34 students—often across multiple grades and subjects.
States with the Highest Dependence on Single-Teacher Schools
The report reveals that Andhra Pradesh has the highest number of single-teacher schools, while Uttar Pradesh tops the list in terms of student enrolment within such institutions. Other states with a large number of single-teacher schools include Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Lakshadweep, and Rajasthan.
In terms of student enrolment, Uttar Pradesh alone accounts for over 6.2 lakh students, followed by Jharkhand (4.36 lakh), West Bengal (2.35 lakh), Madhya Pradesh (2.29 lakh), Karnataka (2.23 lakh), Andhra Pradesh (1.97 lakh), and Rajasthan (1.72 lakh).
In contrast, some Union Territories and smaller regions have managed to nearly eliminate the issue. Delhi has just nine single-teacher schools, while Puducherry, Ladakh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, and Chandigarh report none. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have only four.
Gap Between Policy and Practice
Under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, the recommended pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) is 30:1 for primary classes (I–V) and 35:1 for upper primary classes (VI–VIII). However, the reality in single-teacher schools is far from these standards. Teachers in such settings are often required to handle all subjects and grade levels simultaneously, severely affecting the quality of instruction and learning outcomes.
Despite a gradual decline in numbers—from 1,18,190 single-teacher schools in 2022–23 to 1,10,971 in 2023–24, a reduction of nearly 6%—the issue remains a major obstacle in achieving equitable and inclusive education nationwide.
Government Measures to Improve the Situation
Officials from the Ministry of Education have stated that several initiatives are underway to reduce teacher shortages and rationalise school resources. Efforts include consolidating small schools, merging institutions with low or zero enrolment, and redeploying teachers from underutilised schools to those facing acute shortages.
“Single-teacher schools hinder the teaching-learning process. To address this, we are redeploying teachers from schools with no students to single-teacher institutions, ensuring better availability and improved learning outcomes,” said a senior ministry official.
Additionally, the government is promoting balanced student distribution through school mergers and infrastructure optimisation. Data indicates that Chandigarh (1,222 students per school) and Delhi (808 students per school) have among the highest average enrolments, suggesting more efficient resource use. In contrast, Ladakh (59), Mizoram (70), Meghalaya (73), and Himachal Pradesh (82) show much lower figures, highlighting regional disparities in school size and resource allocation.
Persistent Inequities in India’s School System
While the decline in single-teacher schools signals modest progress, the persistence of over 33 lakh students relying on just one educator underscores a deep structural imbalance within India’s school education system. Many of these institutions are located in remote or rural areas, where teacher recruitment and retention remain difficult due to infrastructure gaps, isolation, and limited resources.
Education experts warn that unless these disparities are addressed through targeted teacher deployment, better training, and digital learning integration, the goal of universal, quality education under the RTE framework will remain elusive.
Despite ongoing reforms, India’s reliance on single-teacher schools continues to reflect long-standing inequities in access, staffing, and quality, calling for sustained attention and investment in the foundational layers of the education system.
