Significant Staff Shortages at NCERT: Over 57% Positions Unfilled
Critical Staffing Issues at NCERT
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), a key institution in strengthening the country's education system, is facing a severe shortage of staff. Recent data presented in Parliament reveals that out of a total of 2,844 sanctioned positions at NCERT and its affiliated institutions, only 1,219 are currently filled. This leaves 1,625 positions vacant, accounting for 57% of the total posts.
Ministry of Education Responds
The Ministry of Education provided this information in response to a query from Samirul Islam, a Member of Parliament from West Bengal representing the Trinamool Congress. The staffing shortfall is not limited to NCERT's main office but extends to its Regional Institutes of Education (RIE), the Pandit Sundarlal Sharma Central Institute of Vocational Education in Bhopal, and the Central Institute of Educational Technology. The most significant issues are found in non-academic positions, where three out of four Group C roles remain unfilled.
No Permanent Recruitment in Two Years
Conditions in Group B are similarly concerning, while Group A has slightly fewer vacancies. Notably, NCERT has not conducted any permanent recruitment during the years 2020-21 and 2021-22. Consequently, vacant positions have remained unaddressed. Over the past five years, only 229 academic and 216 non-academic staff members have been hired, with just one non-academic employee appointed in 2022-23. To manage operations, NCERT has increasingly relied on contract staff.
Reliance on Contract Workers
In 2022-23, there were 760 contract employees, a number projected to decrease to around 655 by 2024-25. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education has previously warned that prolonged dependence on contract workers is unsustainable. Similar staffing issues are also reported at the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) and the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), where permanent hiring has been minimal.
Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary informed Parliament that recruitment is an ongoing process, and efforts are being made to fill vacant positions as per regulations. This staffing deficiency raises concerns in the education sector, as NCERT plays a crucial role in developing textbooks, teacher training, and research. Experts warn that such a high number of vacancies could adversely affect the quality of work. There is an urgent need for the government to expedite permanent hiring to ensure the education system remains robust.