Protests in CNMI over teacher shortage

4:33 pm on 20 February 2015

Students at the largest high school in the Northern Marianas are protesting over a teacher shortage which has led to class mergers and some students not attending classes.

The Marianas High School students' complaints were triggered by a decision to merge classes after several teachers had gone on medical leave.

The school has lost five teachers this school year, but only two have been replaced.

Because of a systemic shortage of substitute teachers, students can be placed in the school cafeteria without instruction for weeks at a time.

The principal Cherlyn Cabrera says she is aware of the complaints, but says there are pressures on the school's limited resources.

She says the issue would be resolved with some of the absent teachers due to return to work next week.