From Our Correspondent
GUWAHATI: Assam government is pulling up all stops for implementation of the Right to Education (RTE) Act on the fast track and will notify the rules for the purpose by the end this month.
The education department in the state has decided on the schedule to conduct the Teachers’ Eligibility Test (TET) to create a trained pool of teachers in state for implementation of the RTE Act.
“Rules for implementing the RTE are being framed and we will notify the same by June 30,” the new Education minister, Dr Himanta Biswa Sharma, said here on Monday.
Several provisions of the RTE, like realignment of classes in primary and middle sections, have almost been completed, he said.
“The crucial aspect of appointment of teachers will start shortly,” the minister said informing that at least 31,000 teachers, comprising over 25,000 general and over 6,000 part-time, teachers have to be appointed for the elementary section by January for implementation of the RTE.
“Taking into account the probable number of retirements and others, the new appointments could number up to 50,000,” he added.
Dr Sharma said the selection of teachers would be done through the Teachers’ Eligibility Test (TET), as laid down under the RTE.
The TET will be held in September and the interview process would commence by October, he said.
In order to make quality higher education accessible to all sections, Assam government is planning to set up new universities as well as several colleges in coming years.
Dr Sharma said at least four new varsities either will have to be established or existing colleges upgraded to take the burden off the three existing universities.
“A university should not have more than 50 affiliated colleges under it for the smooth administration of the colleges,” he said.
“As such, the state needs at least four more universities,” he added.
The minister informed that 12 new colleges will be set up the state, with financial package of Rs 8 crore per college allotted for infrastructure building.
The colleges will be set up in the districts of Sonitpur, Darrang, Bongaigaon, Morigaon, Dhubri, Karimganj, Cachar, Tinsukia, Nagaon, Goalpara, Karbi Anglong and Hailakandi.
“These districts have been identified on the basis of low ratio of institutes with higher education facility,” Dr Sharma said. The new colleges will offer graduate courses in Arts, Science and Commerce streams.