India, Dec. 4 -- New Delhi

Shortages and uneven distribution of teaching and support staff across Municipal Corporation of Delhi's (MCD's) primary schools are hindering proper functioning of schools, teacher unions alleged, citing an MCD reply made in the house meeting on Wednesday that highlighted shortfall in staff.

Almost a third of the sanctioned teacher posts are currently lying vacant, the civic body said. Further, a lack of sufficient support staff, such as helpers, sanitation workers and guards, teachers are forced to take on multiple roles, affecting the quality of education, teachers' unions alleged.

"There are a total of 26,942 sanctioned posts of primary teachers, nursery teachers and special education teachers on regular b...