GUWAHATI, July 21 - Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today informed the State Assembly that in order to prevent the deterioration of educational standards in provincialised schools, the State government would soon make a provision of de-provincialisation, if quality of education dips in schools.
Replying to a query by Congress legislator Abdul Khalek on the non-provincialised/venture schools of the State, Sarma said that whereas the provincialisation of schools falling within the ambit of Assam Venture Educational Institution (Provincialisation of Service) Act, 2011, could be done without delay, for schools not complying with the norms of the Act and seeking provincialization on humanitarian ground, a compromise has to be reached.
The Minister stated that financial assistance to venture schools mainly started from 2006 in the State and the Act was brought in 2011. However, there are many schools, which do not have land or the number of teachers exceeds the given norms. He further added that during the fag end of the preceding Congress government, the issue of Right to Education (RTE) Act compliance was also attached, making provincialisation on humanitarian ground more difficult.
�Further, for considering provincialisation on humanitarian grounds, an approximate sum of Rs 1,100 would be required. We are contemplating the formation of an all-party committee so that the source of funding for this venture does not remain a source of contention among the parties,� he said.
�In some of the schools, the quality of education and the output plunged after provincialization, which defeats the purpose of the exercise. To stop that from happening, we would bring a proposal of de-provincialisation,� he added.
