Replying to another query on Thursday, School and Mass Education Minister Sanjeev Kumar Sahoo said different government high schools were operating with shortage of 1,208 science teachers.

“We are trying to fill up these vacancies through contractual engagement,” Mr. Sahoo said. Educationists, however, were of the opinion that the State government had given a moderate picture about shortage of science teachers whereas the situation was worse.

Noted teachers’ leader Abani Baral said the State government had stopped teachers’ recruitment since 1991 while little attempt was being made to fill up teachers’ posts especially in science subject.

“Since employment prospect of a science student is bright than those in arts stream, the attrition rate is high. To make the matter worse, the State government has not been able to give an attractive salary to teachers. Now a contract teacher is getting Rs. 4,000 per month in high schools,” Mr. Baral said. The day better opportunity came, they left teachers’ job, he said.

The School and Mass Education Minister said there was shortage of 21 science teachers in private high schools compared to 1,208 in government schools.

While vacancy in science teachers’ posts was high, the Science and Technology Ministers went on to claim that, “efforts will be made to provide interactive platforms for interaction among science teachers and new science writers. It will help increase the quality of science writing and simplify science for students.” Besides imparting teaching, the teachers were expected to prepare students for exhibition, quiz and essay competition, drawing and debate on science subjects.

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