By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 24: Social activist Cherian G. Momin has raised serious concerns over an alleged attempt to advertise vacant teaching posts in deficit higher secondary schools under West Garo Hills without following the State Reservation (Roster) Policy, warning that such a move would undermine transparency and fairness in public recruitment.
In a letter addressed to the District School Education Officer, Tura (DSEO), Momin stated that several teaching posts are reportedly lying vacant in various deficit higher secondary schools in the district.
He specifically pointed out that at least five vacant posts exist at Jana Priya Higher Secondary School, Bholarbhita, under the jurisdiction of the DSEO, West Garo Hills.
He expressed apprehension that certain vested interests may attempt to proceed with advertising these posts without applying the mandatory State Reservation Roster system, as required under existing government policy.
The activist further alleged that there may be efforts to justify such advertisements through the use of back-dated orders, purportedly issued by a former DSEO, which he said would strike at the very foundation of transparency, fairness, and lawful recruitment.
Referring to the Education Department’s Office Order dated July 18, 2025, Momin noted that while the government has clarified that advertisements issued prior to August 24, 2024, are exempt from the mandatory application of the Reservation Policy, this provision must be read in conjunction with the Governor’s Notification dated August 20, 2024.
The notification mandates the application of the reservation roster to all sanctioned posts in government-aided and deficit grant-in-aid educational institutions.
He asserted that no advertisement for any vacant post at Jana Priya Higher Secondary School, Bholarbhita, was issued prior to the August 24, 2024 cut-off date.
Therefore, he argued, any claim of exemption from the Reservation Policy on the basis of a back-dated or fabricated order would be legally untenable and contrary to the spirit of government directives.
The activist also cautioned against the possibility of advertising posts in a piecemeal manner—one post at a time—with the alleged intention of bypassing the Reservation Policy.
Such a practice, he contended, would amount to a deliberate circumvention of government norms and would deny eligible tribal candidates their rightful opportunities.
Describing himself as a concerned citizen and “son of the tribal soil”, Momin urged the DSEO to take due cognisance of the matter and ensure that the State Reservation Policy and Roster System are strictly and uniformly followed in any future advertisement of vacant posts in all deficit higher secondary schools under West Garo Hills district.
He stressed that prompt and appropriate action would not only uphold the rule of law but also reinforce public confidence in the integrity and fairness of the recruitment process.
