Assam schools likely to reopen from Sept. 1

Assam education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma here on Saturday announced that his government has decided to set up a 40-member committee to suggest measures for implementing the new education policy while releasing a broad guideline for opening of educational institutions possibly from September 1.

Informing that panel headed by principal secretary education will submit its recommendations by December 31, the minister told reporters that they have started this exercise to prepare the blueprint of implementing the policy from January next year.

Pointing out that implementation of New Education Policy may require a lot of structural reforms, he said, “The panel will be divided into several sub-groups to study and analyse the various facets of the new policy.”

He said “The Assam government welcomes the new policy, which is a historic step as it will bring about integration of different streams, art, culture and languages, particularly the regional languages.”

He also said that the Assam Government is all set to thoroughly peruse the National Education Policy 2020 and modifications, if required, will be discussed at the cabinet.

The minister said the new policy, while putting stress on mother tongue and local language up to primary level would not only address the long pending demand of patronising the local languages but also generate a large number of employment in the education sector.

With Assam going to general elections next year, the minister said that schools, colleges will be provincialized from August 15 and it will come into effect from January 1, 2021.

At least nine Higher Secondary, 197 High School and 149 Junior Colleges will be provincialized, the minister said adding that a total of 3,359 posts will be provincialized in these schools.

The minister also reiterated that 241 posts of lecturer will be provincialized in 30 new colleges and the government will provincialize 690 old posts of lecturers.

“The government will also set up high schools in 119 tea gardens and each school will have the expense of `1.19 crore. The construction work of all the schools will be started from October 2,” he said.

While reiterating about reopening of schools in the state he said that his government was preparing to open schools and colleges from September 1 and all the teachers and fourth grade employees of the government schools will have to undergo compulsory Covid-19 tests.

He, however, clarified that they would follow the guidelines of ministry of home affairs on opening of schools and colleges. The minister said that they would seek the opinion of parents and teachers on Special Operation Procedure being finalised by the state to open the educational institutions in the state.

ASSAM HAS ALSO decided to set up a 40-member committee to suggest measures for implementing the new education policy.