Assam govt scripts record giving appointment letters to 29,701 teachers on a single day

GUWAHATI: The Assam government today scripted a new record in the education sector of election-bound Assam with chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal ceremonially handing over appointment letters to as many as 29,701 teachers at Sarusajai Sports Complex here.

In the biggest ever appointment letter distribution ceremony, which was also attended by education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma as well, appointment letters were 16,484 teachers for provincialising their schools and to 13,217 Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) qualified teachers.

The figures surpassed the earlier state government’s record of 2013 when appointment letters were distributed among over 25,000 TET teachers by the then Congress government at the same venue.

ALSO READ: Dibrugarh University registrar suspended for 'embezzlement of funds'

Handing over the appointment letters, chief minister Sonowal said the appointment to 29,701 teachers was a testimony of the state government’s keen interest to bring about qualitative improvement in the education sector. In his Independence Day speech last year, he had promised appointment of 50,000 teachers The government had recently handed over appointment letters to 4511 teachers in another ceremony here last week.

Sonowal said the newly appointed teachers must shoulder the responsibility to develop the youth as quality human resource who could shine in the global job market.

He also highlighted several schemes presently being implemented in the education sector and called for united efforts of teachers, parents and students for creating positive academic environment and urged them to perform their responsibilities with dedication and sincerity.

Stating that the Act East Policy of the Centre opened floodgates of opportunities for the youth to make successful inroads to the southeast Asian market, Sonowal said the ambassador of Japan would soon visit Assam which would give a major boost to skill development and job creation in the state.

Sarma in his speech said that the incumbent state government brought about qualitative changes in the education sector and teachers’ appointment. Sarma also urged the 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 said although thousands of teachers were appointed today, a sizable number of posts still remained out of the purview of provincialisation and the government would positively consider the matter. He also announced that in next 10-15 days, 5000 more teachers would be appointed by the government.

He said the state government appointed 71,765 school teachers since 2016. 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.