Myagdi,
Shortage of Math and Science Teachers: Despite publishing notices for math teachers up to the fifth round by Sarvodaya Campus, Tatopani in Bhurung Tatopani, Myagdi, they have not been able to find a qualified math teacher for the secondary level.
According to the school’s principal, Prabha Govinda Thapa, they had appointed part-time teacher Vimal Baruwal to teach math to students appearing in the Secondary Education Examination (SEE) in order to cope with the lack of subject-specific teachers.
“Due to the shortage of subject-specific teachers, we had to appoint a ‘part-time’ teacher to conduct classes on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday for students of classes 9 and 10,” he said.
A similar problem is seen in Mangala Rural Municipality-1 Purnagaun’s National Janajagriti Secondary School, where despite multiple advertisements and hiring from Madhesi quota and other districts, they have not received any applications for the math teacher position.
This shortage of math, science, and computer teachers is not limited to community schools but also affects well-equipped private schools in and around Beni.
According to Tech Bahadur Ramjali, Principal of National Janajagriti Ma.Vi, the attractive job prospects in the civil service have drawn teachers away from the field of education, especially in the fields of math, science, and computer education.
The schools receive a government grant of 12 months for operating costs and teacher salaries, but due to low pay, it has become difficult to attract teachers. Shortage of Math and Science Teachers
Jayaram Subedi, president of the Myagdi Teachers Association, said, “Schools will have to open up vacancies for teachers,” adding that they seek teachers from other areas willing to work in more accommodating schools.
In Myagdi, out of 175 primary and 115 lower secondary level schools, only 22-22 teachers teach math and science in the lower and secondary levels, respectively. Most schools rely on relief and private resources to hire math and science teachers.
The Myagdi campus has recently started Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) programs with an emphasis on math, science, and computer subjects to address the shortage of teachers in these fields. Only four students are studying math while two are studying science in the first year of the B.Ed. program.
Gorakh GC, head of Myagdi Campus, said, “Due to high demand for teachers in district schools, we have started B.Ed. programs with an emphasis on math, science, and computer subjects. There are a total of five schools from which we get students to pursue their B.Ed. here. These students will complete their studies in the fourth year, but the question remains: how will we produce math teachers if they all leave after the fourth year?”
