GUWAHATI, May 18 - The number of science and mathematics facilitators in the State�s secondary schools is drastically declining. From the initial 260, their number has now gone down to 99, with signs of more of them leaving their jobs due to lack of job security. This is despite the fact that the Science and Technology Department of the State has recommended regularisation of their services, describing their performance as highly satisfactory.
Siva Prasad Upadhaya, working president of the Science and Mathematics Facilitators� Association, Assam, said that the science and mathematics facilitators were appointed in 130 select secondary schools of the State in 2010 under a pilot project of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of Assam.
The Science and Technology Division of the Assam Science Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC) is executing the project. The aim behind appointing these science and mathematics facilitators was to create a favourable atmosphere for students to learn science and mathematics.
Facilitators have sought to improve the classroom environment for learning science and mathematics by using innovative equipment made of low-cost or no-cost materials.
These facilitators have developed a low-cost mathematics kit to help students understand mathematical theories. Their association is also publishing a magazine, Pratifalan, that deals with the topics of science and mathematics, since 2012, Upadhaya said.
The feedback received by the State�s Department of Science and Technology and the ASTEC in 2012-13 to study the impact of the project was highly satisfactory, said Upadhaya, adding, being satisfied with the performance of the facilitators, the officials engaged in the study recommended to the Government necessary steps to fill up the vacancies in the posts of science and mathematics teachers in secondary schools with the facilitators, and also to regularise their services.
The facilitators have played a major role in improving the pass percentage in the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) examinations. But now, they are getting a raw deal from the authorities concerned, rued Upadhaya.
