STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The Assam Government had issued an order for the creation of the post of headmaster in primary schools across the State on December 17, 2020. More than a year has passed since the order was issued but the post of headmaster has not been created.
On December 17, 2020, the Joint Secretary to the Government of Assam had issued an order to the Director of Elementary Education, Assam in which it was stated that the seniormost teacher in primary schools would be re-designated as headmaster with some additional financial benefits. In this regard, the Director of Elementary Education, Assam was asked to submit formal proposal specifying the district-wise total number of seniormost teachers to be re-designated as headmaster, amount of additional financial benefit to be provided to a re-designated headmaster, total financial involvement and budget provision during the current financial year 2020-21 for the purpose.
Talking to The Sentinel, Assam State Primary Teachers' Association general secretary Ratul Chandra Goswami said, "The creation of the post of headmaster in primary schools has been a long-pending demand. In 2016, the then Education Minister Sarat Chandra Barkakoty had announced that post of headmaster had been created in 40,000 primary schools in the State. But nothing materialized. Since this announcement was made before the assembly elections, we presume that the announcement was only a political gimmick."
He further said, "After the new government came to power in Assam, we again urged the government to create post of headmaster in primary schools. An order in this regard was issued in 2020 but till now the posts have not been created. Maybe this was another political gimmick."
Goswami said that in a primary school, all financial transactions amounting to lakhs of rupees are done by the seniormost teacher of that school. However, he is not authorized to do this. "We therefore, urge the government to expedite the process for creation of post of headmaster in primary schools," he said.
Meanwhile, when contacted, an official of the State Education Department said, "The New Education Policy (NEP) has been implemented in the State. The education sector will be witnessing many changes. At present, we are working on the amalgamation of LP, ME and MV schools. Around 2,000 LP, ME and MV schools will be amalgamated. Till this process is completed, it is not possible to create the post of headmaster in primary schools."
He further said, "The file for creation of posto of headmaster has been sent to the Finance Department for financial approval. Hopefully, within March-April we will be able to create the post of headmaster."
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