Shillong, June 9: The Jaintia National Council (JNC) Western Zone on Tuesday met Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui requesting his intervention for immediate release of recruitment advertisements for government lower and upper primary school teacher posts, stressing that over 31,000 MTET-qualified candidates are waiting while hundreds of posts remain vacant across Meghalaya.
Led by President Hamehi Bamon, the delegation submitted a formal memorandum to the minister.
During the meeting, the organization highlighted that around 677 teaching posts are lying vacant in government schools across the state, with the shortage felt in districts from East Khasi Hills to South Garo Hills.
The vacancies span Shillong and Sohra in East Khasi Hills, Nongpoh in Ri-Bhoi, Nongstoiñ and Mairang in West and Eastern West Khasi Hills, Mawkyrwat in South West Khasi Hills, Jowai and Amlarem in West Jaintia Hills, Khliehriat in East Jaintia Hills, Tura and Dadenggre in West Garo Hills, Ampati in South West Garo Hills, Williamnagar in East Garo Hills, Resubelpara in North Garo Hills, and Baghmara in South Garo Hills.
The JNC Western Zone told the minister that the delay is costing MTET-qualified candidates dearly, as many are either nearing or have already crossed the upper age limit.
“More than 31,000 candidates have already cleared the MTET examination. However, many of these qualified candidates are nearing or have crossed the upper age limit, raising concerns about fairness and lost opportunities,” the organization stated in the memorandum.
It urged the government to act without delay to ensure a transparent and inclusive selection process and to address the acute shortage that is directly impacting classrooms.
“The organization strongly urged the government to issue the recruitment advertisement at the earliest to ensure a transparent and inclusive selection process, and to address the acute shortage of teachers in schools across the state.
The organization also emphasized that the declining standard of education in Meghalaya is closely linked to the shortage of teaching staff.
Strengthening the teaching workforce would significantly improve educational outcomes and benefit the people of the state,” the memorandum said.
Speaking after the meeting, Bamon said filling the posts would serve two purposes at once.
“Increasing the number of teachers would not only address unemployment among qualified candidates but also enhance the overall quality of education in Meghalaya,” he said.
“Rymbui assured that the government would take the necessary steps and is likely to issue the advertisement for the vacant posts within the next few months of this year,” Bamon stated further.
