School education hobbled by teacher politicisation, lack of accountability

Lack of accountability and politicisation of teachers are the two big issues that need to be tackled to improve the quality of school education in India

State after state surveys in India show extremely poor learning levels for students in our schools. Studies have consistently shown that government school teachers are often absent and when they are present, they are not spending their time on the task at hand – teaching. Teacher effort is low primarily because nobody holds the government teachers accountable.

Accountability is low because teachers often hold positions of power in the state assemblies and/or are sheltered by strong unions. This politicization of the teaching community and their over-representation combined with low effort are two of the main afflictions of the system