Tura, July 3: The Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), Garo Hills Zone, has submitted a representation to the Commissioner and Secretary of the Education Department, Government of Meghalaya, seeking an extension of the mid-term break for all schools across the state.
The representation, addressed to Education Commissioner and Secretary Shri Vijay Kumar Mantri, IAS, was routed through the Deputy Commissioner of West Garo Hills.
According to the organisation, the current directive requiring schools that completed their mid-term examinations by June 30 to reopen on July 6 provides only a five-day break, which is inadequate for teachers to complete post-examination responsibilities and obtain sufficient rest.
FKJGP stated that teachers across Meghalaya had been engaged in the House Listing phase of the Census from May 16 to June 14 before immediately resuming academic duties and conducting mid-term examinations until the end of June. The organisation pointed out that teachers must also evaluate answer scripts, tabulate marks, prepare progress reports, maintain academic records and plan remedial measures after the examinations, all of which require considerable time and effort.
The organisation argued that the limited break could lead to physical and mental fatigue among teachers, ultimately affecting the quality of classroom teaching and students’ learning outcomes. It stressed that both teachers and students require adequate time to recover before the commencement of the next academic session.
In its representation, FKJGP requested the Education Department to sanction a minimum three-week mid-term break for all schools. It also urged the government to take into account non-academic duties assigned to teachers, such as Census and election work, while preparing future academic calendars.
Additionally, the organisation called for district-level consultations with teachers’ bodies before finalising examination schedules and school holidays to ensure that academic planning reflects practical challenges faced at the ground level.
While appreciating the Meghalaya Government’s efforts to strengthen the education sector through various initiatives, FKJGP maintained that the welfare of teachers is essential for improving educational standards. The organisation expressed hope that the government would review the existing directive and extend the mid-term break in the interest of both the teaching fraternity and students.