Assamese compulsory in all schools: Sarma

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, April 19: State Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who also holds the Health and Guwahati Development Department portfolios, today said that Assamese is mandatory for the students of all schools, including schools under the CBSE, in the State. He also said that the government is going to introduce a Bill to this effect in the Assembly session slated for August this year.

Talking to the media today, Sarma said: “Assamese will be made compulsory for students in Assam, including students of Kendriya Vidyalayas, vodaya Vidyalayas and private schools. This, however, is not without exception. Since Bengali is spoken in the Barak Valley, the students there can opt for Bengali instead of Assamese and the students in BTAD can opt for Bodo instead of Assamese.”

On poor salary of private school teachers and high rates of fees being charged by such schools, Sarma said: “Our committees are examining them thoroughly. Our next move will be on these twin issues.”

When asked on the reported displeasure expressed by Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah idu at a review meeting on the smart city project yesterday, Sarma said: “I do agree with the Union minister. This is because the smart city project was announced when the Congress in power in Assam, and in the last seven/eight months in its fag-end the Congress did little in the smart city project that got its due importance for about nine months when the BJP came to power in the State. We’ve appointed the MD for the project. Surely we’re lagging behind in the project. It’ll take four/five months for us to make up the delay in the project.” When asked on the draft population policy of the State that has been made public for public opinion, Sarma said: “So far, we’ve received 350 views.”