Over 36 LP schools are functioning without teachers: Rymbui

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 16, 2022

Over 36 lower primary schools across the state are without teachers. 

This was revealed by the Minister in-charge Education Lahkmen Rymbui on Thursday while replying to a query raised by Rangsakona legislator Zenith Sangma in the Assembly. 

Rymbui informed that the teacherless schools have arisen due to retirement, transfer or regisnation of the incumbent teachers. Students are now attending alternative schools nearby.

“We have approved for rationalization to post the teachers… We have given permission to the SDSEOs of Mawkyrwat, Mawshynrut, Mairang, Nongpoh, Baghmara, Resubelpara and others to rationalise and post the teachers wherever the schools are teacherless,” he said. 

Expressing concern, Zenith questioned the failure of the government to appoint teachers on contractual basis in such schools to ensure continuation of education to the students. 

“The rationalisation why it still in the future tense, I feel it should be done immediately to protect the interest of the students as we cannot deprive a single child (of the right to education)

On this, the education minister said that the problem has happened in the midst of doing the recruitment process where due to the recent judgment of the Meghalaya High Court, the department has to prepare a roster system.

“We hope we will be able to do this process at the earliest. We are also trying to look within the parameters of the legal framework on whether there is any scope for temporary appointment of teachers,” he said.

Not satisfied with the reply, Zenith said that the people at the helm of affairs only want power without responsibility and asked if the government is making an effort to file an affidavit before the High Court for interim arrangement for such schools to ensure students are not deprived of their rights to education.

Rymbui however clarified that the department has the will to do it but as per the judgment all appointments have to be made as per the roster system.

“We are very confident that the process will be completed very soon so that whatever we do is in conformity with the legal process,” he said.

Meanwhile, North Shillong legislator Adelbert Nongrum also expressed concern over the delay in appointment of full fledged principals in as many as 15  higher secondary schools.