Despite being one of the most followed professions in India, India still ranks amongst the 74 countries suffering from a major shortage of teachers. 370 thousand; yes, you read that right. At the primary education level itself, India requires that many professionals to meet up with the growing needs in the education sector that has been on the up all thanks to the Right to Education Act.
Wowing the young workforce is no easy task, especially considering the relatively low remuneration packages that teachers are offered. Teachers in India are criminally underpaid and that's been a known fact for years. A substandard salary has been as deterring factor as to why seats for many undergraduate educational courses are going vacant.
It's a problem that is being addressed by the government through its various schemes and initiatives, with the Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed.) offered through NIOS being one of the biggest success stories in recent memory. The framework of education in India, however, continues to be subjected to criticism as it is riddled with corruption and a lack of basic understanding of its hierarchy.
Despite issues that cloak the education system in India, there are still quite a few passionate folks who wish to become teachers irrespective of the uncertain career chart. Teaching is an honorable gig and the satisfaction that comes along with it can rarely be attained by an alternative job.
Contrary to popular opinion of teaching being an underpaid profession and one that doesn't have glittering career prospects, there is incredible scope if you analyze the different avenues that can be taken.