The Centre has asked the states to convert all single-teacher schools into at least three-teacher institutions as there are a large number of qualified teachers in the country who are jobless.

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram [ Images ] said in Sivaganga on Sunday night that though there were a large number of qualified teachers in the country without a job, nearly half of the about eight lakh schools were being run on single-teacher concept.

Speaking at a function in Tamil Nadu College of Education at Karaikudi near Sivakasi, he asked all state governments to take steps to put an end to the single-teacher schools.

"It meant that one teacher has to take classes for all children studying in different classes. How a teacher could effectively take classes for all the children?" he asked.

Image: Union Home Minister P Chidambaram