KULOB, August 20 2008, Asia-Plus  -- Four new schools will have been opened in Khatlon’s Khovaling district by the new school new, according to the Khovaling local authorities.  

It is very important event, because over the past several years, pupils in many villages of Khovaling have been forced to study in private houses because of shortage of schools.  The most serious situation was in the Lohouti district, where two new schools were built at once.  

However, one the most serious problems facing Khovaling’s education sector is shortage of teachers.  Schools in the district are currently experiencing an acute shortage of teachers of the Russian language, English, chemistry, and basic computer skills.  The district now has 78 teaching vacancies.  

This year, 20 young specialists were supposed to arrive in Khovaling to work with local schools; whoever, only eight of them have arrived so far. 

In all, schools in Khovaling now have 528 teachers and 11,689 pupils.