KHUJAND, March 10, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- The Russian language program at Tajik-language schools in the Sughd province will not be shortened, the deputy head of the Sughd education directorate, Ms. Dilbar Ismoilova, told Asia-Plus today.

“Although Sughd schools are currently experiencing an acute shortage of teachers of the Russian language, the Russian language school program will not be shortened in the province,” Ismoilova said.

According to her, Tajik-language schools in northern Tajikistan now have 68 Russian teacher vacancies.  The most serious situation was reported in Panjakent (19 Russian teacher vacancies), Spitamen (10) and Zafarobod (8).

“To provide schools with sufficient Russian language teachers, we have enlisted the services of the best school leavers and old teachers that have retired on pension,” the education official said.

In all, the Sughd province now has 800 teaching vacancies.