Assam Education minister reviews education-related issues

Our Correspondent
Diphu, Aug. 30 (EMN): Education minister of Assam, Dr. Ranoj Pegu on Monday convened a meeting to discuss issues related to education in Assam with 31 indigenous student organisations at SSA conference hall, Kahilipara in Guwahati.

The delegation from Karbi Anglong comprising Karbi Farmers Association (Tingku Engti faction), Karbi Students Union, Karbi Students and Youth Council and Karbi Students’ Association participated in the meeting and submitted a memorandum highlighting the core issues and problems of education in Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong.

The organisations demanded for provincialisation of 666 posts of Karbi Language Teacher engaged in different government/provincialised/venture ME, High School in Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong, provincialisation of 29 Karbi Medium School, establishment of Government Science and Commerce colleges at Donkamokam, Bokajan and Howraghat.

Moreover, they have asked for the retention of Diphu Government College as it is and to declare it as a centre for excellence in learning considering its heritage as one of the oldest higher education institutions in Assam, to oust Dr. NK Sarma as principal of DGC and to appoint new principal, creation of post of Karbi Language Teacher for High School from the government of Assam, to establish more technical institute in Karbi Anglong, to augment the education budget allocated to KAAC from government of Assam for increasing the salary of venture ME /High School /Higher Secondary /junior college teachers, to expedite the process of construction of B. Ed College, Engineering College, State University and Law College as announced during the budget speech by the CM, and Finance minister, Ajanta Neog and to provincialise venture ME/High /Higher Secondary school on need-based priority.

During the meeting the Education minister also announced grant-in-aid of INR 50,00,000 to those schools and colleges reaching  75 years and 100 years. He stated that certain relaxation will be given for Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao for qualifying for the scheme (grant-in-aid) as no institutions had qualified in these three districts. The minister said that the Education department is considering allowing Karbi language as medium of instruction in pre-primary and primary levels in Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts.