DUSHANBE, January 13, 2009, Asia-Plus -- The Ministry of Education has filed suits in Higher Economic Court as well as regional city and district economic courts against 1,450 graduates, who were placed on jobs with school but refused to work with schools, Education Minister Abdujabbor Rahmonov announced at a press conference in Dushanbe on January 12.

According to him, the graduates that studied at universities under tripartite contracts concluded between them, local authorities and universities now should return to state the amount that was spent for their studying.

The minister noted that shortage of teachers in the country had decreased from 6,000 in 2007 to 3,600 in 2008.  However, regions are still experiencing shortage of teachers.  Thus, the Sughd province has 1,112 teaching vacancies, Khatlon – 1,012, districts subordinate to the center (RRPs) – 1,165 and Gorno Badakhshan – 255.

Rahmonov adding that the ministry of education was taking measures to provide schools in the provinces with sufficient teachers.  They plan to enlist the services of unemployed housewives having pedagogical education and even the best school leavers.