Kozhikode: The Kerala Government’s recent decision to tweak the teacher-student ratio has spread panic among teachers, especially those working in aided schools under single management. For the last 25 years high schools in the State normally have one teacher for 40 students. This ratio of 1:40 is set to be dispensed with, thereby likely rendering several teachers redundant.

It was on June 6, 1997 that the State Education Department issued an order fixing the 1:40 ratio in order to protect teachers’ posts. Earlier, the ratio was 1:45. The latest order says that the ratio should revert to 1:45.

“The new decision will mainly affect the jobs of high-school teachers working in the aided sector. Teachers in government schools could be redeployed to other schools if the number of students is less. Similarly, teachers in schools under corporate management also could be transferred to other schools under the same management. However, teachers in aided schools under single management will lose their jobs,” said the leader of a teachers’ union.