DUSHANBE, October 3, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- The Tojikobod district in eastern Tajikistan now has 164 teaching vacancies, President Emomali Rahmon remarked at a meeting with local administrators and public activists in Tojikobod on October 3, according to presidential press service.  

He noted that despite shortage of teachers the quality of teaching and delivery of textbooks to the district have improved. 

However, shortage of skilled teachers remains one of the most acute problems facing the district education sector.  Taking this circumstance into consideration, the president charged the ministries of education and economy to take measures to increase presidential quota of students for Tojikobod, the press service said.  

Speaking at the meeting, the president also pointed to the necessity of resolving the problem of shortage of schools and classes in the district.  He noted that at present, two schools are placed in private houses and three other schools are in a very poor state.  The president charged the ministry of education to consider those issues and take necessary measures to remove existing shortcomings.