GUWAHATI: Teachers under Sarva Siksha Abhiyan in Assam can now serve till 60 years of age and enjoy pay scales and allowances on a par with other state government teachers.
Announcing this before reporters here on Sunday, state education minister Himanta Biswa said that all the 29,701 TET (teacher eligibility test qualified) teachers would henceforth receive annual pay increments, dearness allowance, leave (casual, earned and maternity) like other state government teachers under regular pay scales.
“They can also apply for bank loans like other state government employees and avail annual medical benefits up to Rs 5lakh for the family,” Sarma said, while referring to the Cabinet meet held on May 26 when the decisions were taken.
The minister further said that the tenure of all the 11,206 state pool teachers and 5243 secondary teachers would also be extended to 60 years.
“The salaries of state pool teachers will be at par with newly recruited regular LP/UP teachers while that of secondary teachers will be at par with newly recruited graduate teachers. From June 1, both categories of teachers will get increments, allowances and leave benefits like regular teachers, including contributory provident fund (CPF) and pay commission revisions,” he said.
Meanwhile, owing to the emergency situation in the wake of COVID-19 this year, the state government has decided to provide Rs 20,000 in cash in lieu of computers (Anundoram Borooah Award) to meritorious students securing star marks and above in the HSLC and High Madrassa exams by August 30, 2020.
“Last year’s students would be given computers in schools in a staggered manner from next week though,” he said.
Free admissions
The minister also said that students’ admissions (higher secondary to post-graduate level) to colleges would be “100 per cent free” regardless of the income slabs of guardians
“Earlier, only about 50 to 60 per cent students would be eligible for free admissions. But considering the constraints faced by guardians in the wake of COVID-19, we have decided to make admissions for all students free,” Sarma said.
