As the monsoon-laced school year begins in Kodagu, students are returning to classrooms that lack a crucial component — teachers. Despite housing 623 government-run primary and high schools, the district is grappling with a severe shortage of permanent teaching staff.

Currently, 568 teaching positions remain vacant across the district — 143 in primary schools and 425 in high schools. This crisis existed even before the academic year commenced.

In Madikeri taluk, 46 out of 97 sanctioned posts in government primary schools are vacant. Somwarpet taluk faces 63 vacancies out of 195, while Virajpet taluk is short by 34 teachers. Overall, Kodagu’s primary schools have only 269 teachers for 412 sanctioned positions.

The problem worsens in high schools. Madikeri taluk has 147 vacancies, Somwarpet is short by 87 teachers, and Virajpet suffers the most with 190 positions unfilled. The high schools need 425 more teachers to meet the sanctioned strength of 1,412.

With permanent appointments lacking, the system leans heavily on guest teachers. Headmasters, physical education trainers, and Kannada teachers are taking up extra teaching loads, especially in Maths, Science, and English, directly impacting SSLC exam performance.

The government plans to fill only 384 guest teacher posts in Kodagu, far short of the 568 vacancies. Statewide, 51,000 guest teachers will be appointed, sidestepping the issue of long-term staffing.

70% of textbooks and materials have been distributed, with efforts ongoing to complete supply.