From Our Correspondent
JOWAI, Oct 29: The Jaiñtia National Council (JNC) on Tuesday called on Director of the Directorate of Educational and Research Training (DERT) in Meghalaya, RS Manners, flagged issues plaguing District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) in Thadlaskein, West Jaintia Hills district.
Led by its general secretary Wanshwa Suting, the JNC informed Manners that following the transfer of two teachers, DIET Thadlaskein now has only 14 faculty members, which, it added, had led to increase in workloads and concerns about the quality of education for teacher trainees.
Stressing that the shortage of teachers could lead to incomplete or delayed training programmes, the organisation also highlighted the poor condition of DIET’s sanitary facilities, which, it informed, present health risks for students and staff, particularly during bad weather.
During the meeting, the JNC also advocated for an annual Meghalaya Teacher Eligibility Test (MTET), as the exam is currently held biennially.
They argued that an annual exam, aligned with central government practices, would reduce obstacles for aspiring teachers, many of whom face age-related eligibility issues.
Meanwhile, the DERT Director informed the delegation that steps are under way to fill vacant posts at DIET.
She also informed that preparations are under way to hold the MTET annually starting 2025. Manners further confirmed that scholarships for DIET students have been approved and will soon be disbursed by the state government.
