GUWAHATI: The Assam Government has started scrutinising more than 25,000 applications received for school and teacher provincialisation under the Assam Education (Provincialisation of Services of Teachers and Reorganisation of Educational Institutions) Amendment Act, 2025, Education Minister Ranoj Pegu informed the Assembly during the Budget Session on Thursday, July 9.
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Replying to a discussion on the functioning of the Education Department, Pegu said an online portal was opened this year to allow institutions and teachers to directly apply under the amended Act.
According to the minister, the government has received 6,163 applications from lower primary schools, 10,101 from upper primary schools, 5,733 from high schools, 1,222 from senior secondary schools, 201 from higher secondary schools and 1,698 from degree colleges. He said the applications are being examined to verify whether they meet the eligibility criteria laid down in the Act.
Pegu said provincialisation would strictly follow National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) norms, adding that there can be no compromise on the quality of school education. He also stated that tutors who acquire the required professional qualifications would be eligible for induction as teachers.
The minister further informed the House that the government plans to establish an Adarsh School in every Assembly constituency. So far, 58 such schools have been set up, while proposals have been sought for constituencies yet to receive one.
On teachers left out of the provincialisation process, Pegu said they would be covered under the proposed Guru Dakshina Scheme, which will provide a one-time gratuity. Around 15,000 applications have already been received through the Guru Dakshina portal and are currently under verification.
Addressing concerns over the shortage of postgraduate teachers after the upgradation of high schools, Pegu said 405 schools have been converted into higher secondary institutions and additional PGT posts would be created after the finalisation of a unified service rule for school teachers, following which fresh recruitment would be undertaken.
Highlighting broader challenges in the education sector, the minister said Assam has around 46,000 schools across 26,000 villages, including 22,189 lower primary schools, 5,517 upper primary schools and 3,215 high schools with fewer than 30 students. He added that the government is conducting a statewide survey to identify schools with very low enrolment for possible merger or reorganisation to ensure better utilisation of teachers and resources.