The Hynñiewtrep Youths’ Council (HYC) has raised several deficiencies pertaining to education in West Khasi Hills district and met with Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma to flag the issues.
The teacher-student ratio in government lower primary schools was one the issues flagged at the meeting as well as poor infrastructures in these schools and the non-appointment of permanent teachers in the Sib Sing Memorial Government School and the amenities there.
Speaking to reporters HYC President, Roy Kupar Synrem said there are around 90 LP schools in the district with the student’s strength of about 50 to 100 or more in each school. He said the non-availability of teachers as per student-teacher ratio has immensely affected the education sector in the district and is a grave injustice cause to the students enrolled in these schools.
Synrem said his members had visited about 30 schools in the district to find that most the buildings are in dilapidated conditions. “If left unattended, majority of these schools will not be able to cater to the students in the coming session,” he said, adding that in most of these schools there is no proper furniture.
At the building of the higher secondary section of Sib Sing Memorial School, which was newly inaugurated by the Chief Minister in January 17 this year, has no power and water supplies. He said the building has been left unused because furniture has not been provided.
Sangma informed that the education department fill up vacancies with MTET qualified candidates, the interview which will be held on November 15.
Meanwhile, the Ri Bhoi Sepngi circle of the HYC has urged the concern agency/authority to set up MTET centres for candidates from Ri Bhoi within Patharkhmah or Jirang for the convenience of candidates, as at present they have to travel to Nongpoh.