SHILLONG, June 9: The Jaintia National Council (JNC) Western Zone has urged the state government to immediately advertise 677 vacant teaching posts in government Lower Primary and Upper Primary schools to address an acute staff shortage and the growing concerns of thousands of qualified candidates.
A delegation led by JNC Western Zone president Hamehi Bamon met Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui on Tuesday, submitting a memorandum seeking the early recruitment of candidates who have cleared the Meghalaya Teachers Eligibility Test (MTET).
The organisation highlighted that while over 31,000 candidates have passed the MTET, many remain unemployed and are nearing or have already crossed the upper age limit for government service.
According to the JNC, the 677 vacancies are spread across the state, including 84 in Ampati, 80 in Tura, 75 in Baghmara, 71 in Resubelpara, 53 in Shillong, 50 in Williamnagar, 44 in Jowai, 31 in Khliehriat, and 30 in Nongpoh, among others.
The council argued that the declining standard of education in Meghalaya is directly linked to the lack of adequate teaching staff. Strengthening the workforce, they stated, would simultaneously address youth unemployment and improve learning outcomes.
Responding to the delegation, Rymbui assured that the government would initiate the recruitment process soon. According to the JNC, the minister indicated that advertisements for the vacant posts are likely to be issued within the next few months.
The JNC expressed hope that the government would act swiftly to ensure a transparent recruitment process and resolve the teacher shortage affecting schools statewide.
