Staff Reporter
Guwahati: The Project Approval Board (PAB) convened recently in New Delhi to assess and approve the Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP&B) 2025-26 for programmes under Samagra Shiksha, Assam. The meeting focused on critical gaps in inclusive education and teacher staffing across the state.
The PAB expressed serious concern over Assam's poor performance in inclusive education, especially regarding Children with Special Needs (CwSN). Data from UDISE+ (2023-24) shows that only 1% of total enrolled students in the state are CwSN, with their enrolment sharply declining across higher grades. Alarmingly, only 5.2% of teachers have been trained in inclusive practices.
Despite having 5,775 special educators-including those at Block Resource Centres-the state's schools still face infrastructure shortcomings. Of Assam's 56,630 schools, only 78% have ramps, and just 15% and 19% have CwSN-friendly boys' and girls' toilets, respectively.
The Board urged the state to systematically identify CwSN using the PRASHAST app and to analyse the causes of declining enrolment. The state was advised to ensure continuous education for all CwSN through secondary levels and to act in alignment with the National Education Policy 2020 and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
The PAB also took note of the high vacancy rates in teacher training institutions. A staggering 75.55%, i.e., 34 out of 45 sanctioned posts, remain vacant in the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), and 41.02%, or 274 out of 675 sanctioned posts, are vacant in the District Institutes for Education and Training (DIETs).
During the course of the meeting, the Joint Director of SCERT informed that many positions are filled on a deputation basis. However, the PAB emphasized the need for permanent appointments to strengthen institutional accountability and effectiveness. A three-month review period was recommended to evaluate the status of these vacancies.
Moreover, the state is also grappling with a shortage of elementary school teachers, with 13,217 posts lying vacant. Officials informed the Board that recruitment notifications have already been issued, and all vacant posts are expected to be filled within a period of three months.
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