GUWAHATI: Education Minister Ranoj Pegu announced a series of transformative initiatives on Wednesday at Janata Bhawan, aimed at tackling critical challenges in Assam’s education system, such as teacher shortages, accessibility to quality education, and the enhancement of digital learning resources.
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To address the shortage of educators in schools, Dr. Pegu revealed plans to recruit 9,000 new teachers, emphasising proficiency in local languages. These positions will be filled on a regular, permanent basis, moving away from contractual appointments.
“We are committed to providing quality education. Permanent teachers will bring much-needed stability to schools,” Ranoj Pegu stated.
The recruitment process will be streamlined through the Shiksha Setu app, which allows schools to submit accurate data on subject-specific shortages. School principals will verify the data, enabling the Education Department to act swiftly in filling gaps.
In a significant relief for economically disadvantaged families, admission fees will be waived for students from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households studying in Classes XI and XII in government and provincial schools.
“This initiative, effective from the 2024 academic year, will benefit over 250,000 students across 1,145 schools, with ₹18 crore being disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT),” Dr. Pegu said.
To enhance school administration and create local employment opportunities, the government will outsource Grade IV staff roles, prioritizing candidates from local communities.
The Education Department is developing subject-specific educational videos in collaboration with teachers. These videos will be uploaded to YouTube, providing students with easy access to high-quality lessons to aid their learning.
“This initiative will make online learning more accessible and enhance students’ understanding of complex topics,” Pegu explained.
