Punjab Faces Record Shortage of Principals in Senior Secondary Schools

Over 44% of the principal posts in government senior secondary schools across Punjab remain vacant, with 856 out of 1,927 positions yet to be filled. This shortage is particularly pronounced in several districts, with certain areas facing an alarming vacancy rate.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, and AAP Punjab president Aman Arora’s native district of Sangrur has 57 vacant principal posts in 95 government senior secondary schools.

This was stated by the Democratic Teachers Front (DTF), which highlighted that more than 50% of schools in 10 districts and 77 education blocks are facing this crisis. DTF president Vikram Dev Singh stated that the situation is critical across several districts, with Mansa, Barnala, Moga and Sangrur among the most affected. The DTF is an association of teachers representing primary and secondary schools across the state.

The front stated that Mansa tops the list with 82% of positions vacant for principals. Out of 73 posts, 60 are vacant. Barnala follows closely with 76% of positions vacant, as 36 of 47 posts are affected. Moga also struggles with a high vacancy rate, with 56 out of 84 positions (66.6%) vacant.

“The shortage of principals is impacting the quality of education in Punjab. We demand immediate filling of these vacancies and an end to non-educational duties being assigned to teachers. The government must implement a state-specific education policy that caters to Punjab’s unique needs, instead of relying on the central education framework,” the leaders of the front said.