Guwahati: The Assam state government, participating in the tenth day of the Budget Session of the Legislative Assembly, provided a robust defense of its school amalgamation policy and offered updates on the extensive provincialisation of schools and teaching staff. Discussions also touched upon measures aimed at preserving and promoting the profound legacy of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva.
During Question Hour, Education Minister Ranoj Pegu addressed a query raised by Samaguri MLA Tanzil Hussain of the Congress. Minister Pegu clarified that, following the enactment of the Assam Non-Government Educational Institutions Act in 2006, the establishment of new 'venture schools' became legally untenable. He emphasized that any educational institution founded after this period is officially classified as a private entity.
Elaborating on the history of provincialisation efforts, Minister Pegu highlighted that earlier attempts through a 2011 law were invalidated by the High Court. This legal setback ultimately led to the formulation and implementation of the Assam Education (Provincialisation of Services) Act, 2017, under which a significant number of institutions and services have since been provincialised across the state. The government's current policy involves the amalgamation of schools, a move that has reportedly impacted 7,380 institutions.
MLA Hussain's inquiry specifically sought detailed information on the government's progress in provincialising venture schools, questioned the overall effectiveness of the school amalgamation policy, and raised concerns regarding pension-related issues faced by retired personnel within the education sector.
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