Shillong, June 9: The Jaintia National Council (JNC) Western Zone on Tuesday met Meghalaya Education Minister, Shri Lahkmen Rymbui, to urge the immediate release of recruitment advertisements for Government Lower and Upper Primary School teacher posts for candidates who have qualified the Meghalaya Teachers Eligibility Test (MTET).
The delegation, led by JNC Western Zone President Hamehi Bamon submitted a memorandum to the Minister, with a copy also forwarded to the Secretary of the Education Department. During the meeting, the organization expressed concern over the large number of vacant teaching positions across the state, which it said currently stands at around 677 posts. According to the JNC, vacancies have been reported in several districts, including Shillong (53), Sohra (6), Nongpoh (30), Nongstoiñ (21), Mairang (29), Mawkyrwat (29), Jowai (44), Amlarem (27), Khliehriat (31), Tura (80), Dadenggre (47), Ampati (84), Williamnagar (50), Resubelpara (71) and Baghmara (75).
The organization further pointed out that more than 31,000 candidates have already cleared the MTET examination but many are nearing or have crossed the upper age limit for recruitment, creating uncertainty and limiting employment opportunities for qualified aspirants.The JNC Western Zone urged the government to issue recruitment notifications at the earliest to ensure a transparent and inclusive selection process while addressing the acute shortage of teachers in schools across Meghalaya.
According to the organization, the shortage of teaching staff has contributed significantly to the declining standard of education in the state. It maintained that filling the vacant posts would strengthen the education sector and improve learning outcomes for students.Speaking after the meeting, JNC Western Zone President Hamehi Bamon said that increasing the number of teachers would not only provide employment opportunities to qualified candidates but would also enhance the overall quality of education in Meghalaya.
Responding to the delegation’s concerns, Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui assured that the government would take the necessary steps to conduct the recruitment process. He informed the delegation that advertisements for the vacant posts are likely to be issued within the next few months of the current year.
