Kokrajhar: The BTC-region Venture Senior Secondary School Employees’ Association, in a press conference in Kokrajhar, condemned the proposed legislation, claiming that it lacks regard for special provisions given to BTR under the Sixth Schedule and the BTR Accord.
Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu tabled the Assam Education Bill on Wednesday, which proposes major reforms in the provincialisation system and service conditions of staff in schools. Pegu said schools established on or before January 1, 2006, as well as the ones having recognition, affiliation or NOC status, will be brought under provincialisation.
However, General Secretary of the Association, Indrajit Basumatary, while addressing a press conference at the Kokrajhar Press Club today, strongly alleged that both the State and Central governments have taken no steps to implement Clause 6.3 of the BTR Accord. “None of our institutions will qualify under this Bill. The Sixth Schedule areas have been sidelined,” he said.
Additionally, the General Secretary states, “We believe that if student welfare schemes are being introduced, they must benefit all students. Our demand is simple: the new Education Bill should include special consideration and necessary relaxation for the schools and colleges of the BTR region. If these provisions are ignored, the situation may force us into stronger demonstrations.”
The Association further reacted that the Bill fails to provide any relief or consideration to the venture schools in the BTC area. They expressed their disappointment and criticised the Bill for excluding BTC’s venture schools from its provisions.
Subsequently, the Bill has generated sharp resentment in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). Basumatary added that repeated assurances by the government remain unfulfilled, warning that the days ahead could see widespread protests as long as BTR venture schools are excluded.