GUWAHATI: Education Minister Ranuj Pegu announced on Wednesday that 73 contractual faculty members working in Assam’s polytechnics and engineering institutes were released from their positions on March 11.
At a press conference, Minister Pegu stated, "On Tuesday, we released 73 contractual lecturers. They were hired as part-time faculty and were always aware that their positions were temporary." He added, "The Assam government has no policy to turn part-time roles into permanent jobs."
His announcement follows disruption in the state assembly, where opposition parties voiced strong concerns over the dismissal of contractual teachers.
Minister Pegu stated that the government has held two exams to regularize faculty appointments, with another exam currently underway. He encouraged the released faculty members to take part in these exams to secure permanent positions.
Referring to a legal dispute involving the released faculty members, the Education Minister explained that they had previously taken the matter to the High Court, which initially ruled in their favor. However, the court later lifted the stay order, which resulted in their release from their positions.
Meanwhile, earlier last week, Ranoj Pegu said that the certificate course offered by ITIs (industrial training institutes) will no longer be the dead end for higher education. Equivalent to HSLC (High School Leaving Certificate) courses, this certificate will let students undergo higher education with admission in Class XI.
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