A major policy shift aimed at addressing the teacher shortage in schools with low student enrollment has been introduced by the Maharashtra School Education and Sports Department. A new government resolution mandates that one of the two teachers in schools with fewer than 20 students must be a retired educator. The government seeks to harness the experience of retired teachers while also tackling the state’s surplus of unemployed teaching graduates. However, the decision has faced criticism from teachers` unions and educational activists, who argue it may limit opportunities for young educators.

The move comes as the government grapples with unfilled teaching posts across the state, especially in rural schools, which has led to concerns about the quality of education. According to the new directive, while retired teachers will be prioritized for these positions, schools facing challenges in recruiting retired professionals will also have the option to appoint unemployed candidates with D.Ed. or B.Ed. qualifications.