Raphael Warjri

The Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) recently staged a sit-in demonstration in Jowai to protest the acute shortage of seats in government higher secondary schools and colleges across the Jaintia Hills. The protest was held in response to the growing concern over the lack of admission opportunities for students who passed the Senior Secondary Leaving Certificate Examination (SSLC), 2025.

On May 30, 2025, a joint delegation comprising members of the Jaintia Students' Union (JSU) and the Jaintia Students' Movement (JSM) met with the District School Education Officer (DSEO) of West Jaintia Hills to formally raise the issue. The delegation highlighted the plight of approximately 200 students who are currently unable to secure admission to Class 11 due to limited seats in the region’s educational institutions.

In response to the concerns raised, the DSEO, A.P. Syiem, informed the delegation that a recommendation has been sent to the state government for the creation of an evening shift for the Class 11 Arts stream at Kiang Nangbah Government Higher Secondary School, Jowai. This initiative aims to accommodate the affected students and ensure that they are not deprived of the opportunity to continue their education despite successfully clearing the board exams.

The student bodies have expressed hope that the government will act swiftly on the matter to address the educational needs of the youth in Jaintia Hills.