Hundreds of sanctioned teaching and non-teaching positions remain vacant across government, fully aided, and block-grant-aided schools in Odisha, prompting the state government to accelerate recruitment measures across multiple selection bodies.
The figures were submitted to the State Assembly on Friday by School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond in a written reply to a query raised by Jatani MLA Bibhuti Bhushan Balabantaray. The minister detailed the structural shortages across higher secondary schools, high schools, and vocational training institutions while outlining ongoing steps to stabilize classroom instruction.
Higher Secondary and Vocational Schools Face Staff Shortfalls
In government and government-upgraded higher secondary schools, 358 out of 1,734 sanctioned teaching posts are currently vacant. Minister Gond assured the House that the selection process to fill these positions via the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) is actively underway. Additionally, the administration is processing the creation of 1,342 new teaching posts across 193 newly upgraded higher secondary institutions.
The state’s 230 government vocational higher secondary schools under the Directorate of Higher Secondary Education are also experiencing significant operational vacancies:
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Junior Lecturers: 70 vacant posts
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Senior Clerks: 116 vacant posts
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Junior Clerks: 143 vacant posts
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Peons: 168 vacant posts
Aided and Block-Grant Institutions Rely on Interim Measures
The shortage extends into state-aided private institutions. Vacancies persist across 26 fully aided private higher secondary schools, where recruitment drives are being conducted by the State Selection Board (SSB).
Meanwhile, among the 499 block-grant-aided higher secondary schools under the 662 category, 302 of the 3,116 sanctioned lecturer positions are vacant. To prevent disruptions to academic schedules while permanent hiring is finalised, the department has engaged guest lecturers across affected campuses.
Addressing high school education, Minister Gond confirmed that measures are being taken to clear vacancies in government high schools, while the recruitment process for 1,652 teacher posts in fully aided high schools is progressing.
