Guwahati, Jan 5: Assam is emerging as a frontrunner in implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, said Education Minister Ranoj Pegu during an event in Guwahati on Saturday.
Speaking at a function to distribute financial assistance to families of 26 deceased teachers, the minister emphasized Assam’s leadership and proactive approach to adopting the NEP.
Pegu distributed appointment letters to 13 DIET lecturers and financial grants to 26 families of teachers who passed away during service. Highlighting disparities, he noted that while primary teachers under the Sarba Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) received ₹5 lakh grants upon death during service, secondary contractual teachers were excluded. Following his appeal to the Chief Minister, funds from the CM’s discretionary budget were used to address this gap.
Teacher training is central to NEP implementation. Pegu announced initiatives to fortify District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs), including establishing DIETs in newly created districts. The Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) ensured transparency in lecturer appointments, and it has now appointed 13 lecturers.
“Efforts are underway to regularize the jobs of 8,000 contractual teachers appointed since 2010. Teachers under SSA, divided into state pool and SSA categories, are also being assured job security and extended benefits,” he said.
The programme was attended by SSA mission director Om Prakash, education secretary Narayan Konwar, director of secondary education Mamata Hojai, and SCERT director Niroda Devi.
