GUWAHATI: The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and the Assam Provincialised Primary Teachers’ Association have jointly urged the Assam government to reintroduce scholarship examinations for students of Classes V and VIII, which have remained discontinued since 2021.
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In a joint memorandum addressed to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, the two organisations expressed concern over the discontinuation of the examinations and called for their regular conduct to support meritorious students and encourage academic competition.
The memorandum stated that the scholarship examinations have a long history in Assam’s education system. Referring to Wood’s Despatch of 1854, widely regarded as the Magna Carta of English education in India, it noted that the document had advocated scholarships for meritorious students and sought to establish a link between lower and higher levels of education.
According to the memorandum, scholarship examinations were conducted in Assam in different forms over the years. The examination structure underwent changes in 1975 and 1976, while subsequent revisions altered the classes covered and the scholarship distribution system. In 2012, changes in the structure of primary and upper primary education led to the examinations being conducted for students of Classes V and VIII.
The organisations pointed out that the scholarship examinations were discontinued in 2021. They argued that although the government had cited administrative difficulties in conducting the examinations and indicated that it was considering alternatives, no satisfactory replacement had been introduced.
The memorandum stated that scholarship examinations serve a purpose beyond providing financial assistance to students. They help identify academic talent, encourage students to perform better and promote a competitive learning environment in schools.
The organisations further maintained that the examinations could motivate students to develop their abilities and provide recognition to meritorious learners across the state.
The joint appeal urged the state government to take the necessary steps to restore the scholarship examinations for Classes V and VIII and ensure that they are conducted regularly.
