Staff Reporter
Guwahati, Feb 5: Creating a precedent in the history of the State’s education sector, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in presence of Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma presented appointment letters to 29,701 teachers at a programme held at Sarusajai Sports Complex here today.
It may be noted that in the biggest ever appointment letter distribution event in a single day, 16,484 teachers were given appointments following provincialisation of their schools and 13,217 TET teachers also got fresh appointment by virtue of their merits.
Sonowal said that the appointment to 29,701 teachers is a testimony of the State government’s keen interest to bring about qualitative improvement in the education sector.
The Chief Minister said that a large number of students of the State used to go to other parts of the country earlier to pursue higher education as there was a dearth of such institutions in Assam. He further said that the State government’s steps for increasing the number of higher educational institutions, including medical and engineering colleges, universities, AIIMS, Indian Agricultural Research Institution, National Institute of Design, etc., significantly helped the students.
Minister of Education Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma in his speech said that the present Assam government brought about qualitative changes in the education sector and teachers’ appointment in the State. Sarma also urged people not to venture into opening any new school in the State, saying that it was the duty of the government to take forward the youth in the field of knowledge and wisdom. He further said that even though several thousand teachers were appointed today, sizable number of posts still remained out of the purview of provincialization and the government would positively consider the matter. He also announced that in the next 10-15 days, another 5,000 teachers would be appointed by the government.
Sarma also informed that since 2016, the State government had appointed 71,765 school teachers. Allaying the misconception of a section of teachers, Sarma said that those teachers who got appointed by virtue of provincialisation of their schools would be entitled to at least a minimum gratuity of Rs 10 lakh even if they retire from their service within a short period of their appointment.
