NCERT, CBSE Short on Staff to Achieve New Education Policy's Goals: Who Suffers?

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) are grappling with significant staffing shortages, which pose challenges to implementing the New Education Policy (NEP). With 779 positions vacant at CBSE, the agency managed to fill only 20 positions in 2024. This staffing crisis raises concerns about the capacity to meet the NEP's ambitious goals, which include curriculum reforms and enhanced teacher training programs. Alarmingly, nearly half of the posts, or 45.7%, remain unfilled, hampering the boards' ability to deliver quality education and administrative efficiency. The shortage affects various operational levels, potentially slowing down critical initiatives intended to modernize and improve the educational landscape. The NEP's objectives, such as integrating technology in classrooms and promoting holistic learning, could face delays without adequate human resources. Students, educators, and policymakers alike are beginning to feel the effects of these staffing issues. Students may experience disruptions in their learning environment, while educators face increased workloads and limited support. Policymakers are under pressure to address these gaps to ensure the NEP's successful implementation. The situation calls for urgent attention to recruitment processes and strategies to attract skilled professionals, ensuring educational reforms do not falter due to human resource constraints.

— Authored by Next24 Live