Assam: Free Admission, Monetary Help To Students Enrolling For Higher Studies In 2020-21 Academic Year

Education Minister of Assam has announced the state government's decision to help students enrolled in higher secondary to the postgraduate level.

(Representative Image/ PTI)

Guwahati: Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced state government's decision to have free admissions for students getting enrolled for higher studies in Assam. The government has taken this decision to ease the troubles of parents who are already financially burdened due to the coronavirus crisis. So during the current academic year i.e. 2020 t0 2021,  admission to universities, colleges and higher secondary schools in Assam will be free with no hidden costs. "Students from the higher secondary to the postgraduate level, including medical, engineering and polytechnic students, will be admitted to institutes for free," Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. The admission forms and prospectus will available online with no charges. The Education Department will further pay Rs 1,000 for students staying in hostels as monthly mess dues and Rs 1,000 separately for all students to buy textbooks, he said. "All the students must mention their bank details in the admission forms so that the matter can be taken up from the initial stage and there is no delay in depositing money in their bank accounts," he said. More financial assistance will be given as students who cleared their Class 10 exams in 2019 will be given computers in their school while those who have cleared them this year will receive in their Rs 20,000 bank account to be able to buy computers of their choice. 29,701 teachers under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), 11,206 contractual state pool teachers and 5,243 high school contractual teachers will be given the benefits of the regular pay scale much like educators in government schools. "These teachers will continue to be in service till 60 years of age, get regular pay-scale, leave and medical benefits along with other facilities that regular government teachers get," Mr. Sarma said. The state government has also introduced a bill to restrict the inter-district transfer of teachers for 12 years. "According to its provisions, there will be a computer-based transfer policy with an initial lockdown period of 12 years. However, transfers within the district will be allowed," he said. The government has brought another bill to make Assamese compulsory for Class 1 to 10 students in all schools within the state. Similar provisions with regard to Bengali in Barak Valley districts and Bodo in Bodoland Territorial Region The governor is yet to approve both the bills. The Education Minister has expressed his satisfaction with government schools performing better in this year's Class 10 board examinations as compared to last year. (With agency inputs) Top 100: Maharashtra crosses China in terms of Covid cases