Anbumani criticises DMK over teacher recruitment, flags staffing gaps in schools and colleges

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) leader Anbumani Ramadoss on Friday (February 21, 2026) criticised the ruling DMK government over teachers’ recruitment, alleging that the administration had weakened the State’s education sector while projecting limited appointments as an achievement.

In a statement, Dr. Anbumani said the government’s claim of appointing 11,688 teachers over the past five years was inadequate, given that more than one lakh classrooms reportedly function without teachers. 

He argued that with nearly 15,000 teachers retiring annually in Tamil Nadu, the State should recruit a similar number each year, but the average annual appointment under the DMK stood at only about 2,337.

The PMK leader also alleged that nearly 8,000 of the appointed teachers were recruited in the last six months, and that this move was driven by electoral considerations, as fewer than 3,000 teachers were appointed in the preceding four-and-a-half years.

Highlighting staff shortages, Dr. Anbumani said over 3,800 primary schools operate with a single teacher and that government and aided schools together have only about 1.08 lakh teachers across 31,336 institutions, averaging 3.46 teachers per school. He linked the shortage to declining enrolment.

Dr. Anbumani further claimed that vacancies and infrastructure gaps have contributed to rising enrolment in private schools and reduced admissions in government colleges.