India’s literacy rate is rising, but a severe teacher shortage threatens future gains. States like Bihar, Punjab, Karnataka, and Rajasthan face tens of thousands of vacancies, with many schools staffed by only one or two teachers. Budget cuts, slow recruitment, and unattractive working conditions fuel the crisis, risking ‘functional illiteracy’ despite glowing literacy statistics. India’s literacy rate is rising, but a severe teacher shortage threatens future gains. States like Bihar, Punjab, Karnataka, and Rajasthan face tens of thousands of vacancies, with many schools staffed by only one or two teachers. Budget cuts, slow recruitment, and unattractive working conditions fuel the crisis, risking ‘functional illiteracy’ despite glowing literacy statistics.
