TURA, July 9: Warning that a “compressed” academic calendar is pushing the state’s education system toward a breaking point, Garo Hills teachers have demanded an immediate review of the Meghalaya Board of School Education’s (MBoSE) new schedule, citing a burnout crisis fueled by administrative overload and mandatory election duties.
The Garo Hills Deficit School Teachers’ and Employees Association (GHDSTEA) stated on Wednesday that while the government claims these reforms aim to improve education quality, the reality on the ground is a direct threat to student performance. The association argued that the new timelines were imposed without consulting teachers or school managements.
The primary grievance centres on a significantly shortened academic year. Teachers are now expected to complete the syllabus, conduct exams, evaluate scripts, and resume teaching within a timeframe they describe as impossible. This pressure is compounded by the government’s continued use of educators for non-teaching tasks.
Currently, many teachers are being pulled out of classrooms to serve as Booth Level Officers (BLOs) for the “Special Intensive Revision” of electoral rolls. The GHDSTEA noted that treating teachers like government clerks for election department work makes it impossible to provide the “quality education” the state promises.
“The revised calendar has effectively eliminated the traditional mid-term break, a period essential for teachers to evaluate papers and prepare results,” the Association stated. “Without this buffer, the quality of evaluation and academic planning will suffer, directly impacting students across the state.”
The association also warned that MBoSE is increasingly out of sync with national standards. By deviating from the schedules followed by major boards like CBSE, ICSE, and neighbouring state boards, Meghalaya’s students face significant hurdles when seeking admission or migration to institutions outside the state.
Beyond the classroom, the revised schedule is disrupting long-standing community life. Summer breaks, which have traditionally hosted youth leadership camps and church-led educational programs, are being curtailed, affecting the social and cultural development of students.
The GHDSTEA has called on the government to provide a clear administrative rationale for the changes. Their demands include a review of the current timelines, the introduction of “administrative buffer periods,” and a formal requirement for the government to consult stakeholders before implementing major academic shifts.
The teachers maintained that these are not merely “suggestions” but necessary corrections to prevent the total exhaustion of the state’s teaching workforce and the subsequent failure of the students in their care.
