'On-camera grilling of teachers is beneath dignity of minister'

Ripun Bora and Pradyut Bordoloi have said that the on-camera grilling of teachers by Himanta Biswa Sarma is beneath the dignity of an education minister

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, July 12: Senior Congress leaders Ripun Bora and Pradyut Bordoloi have said that the on-camera grilling of teachers by Himanta Biswa Sarma is beneath the dignity of an education minister.

Addressing the press at Rajiv Bhawan in the city today, APCC president Bora, when asked by reporters, said: "On-camera grilling of headmasters of poor performing schools of the State is sheer humiliation. Education reforms are a must. However, reforms can't be imposed by force. There should be a practical and scientific method. The public view an education minister with a different outlook. Sarma has lost that aura."

Bora, a former Education Minister, said: "However, the reaction of the teaching fraternity to the incident isn't that sharp. When Debakanta Baruah was the Education Minister of the State there was a ruckus in the State following his comment. Without mentioning teachers, Baruah did say 'let the dogs bark'. The reaction to the comment was very sharp. The entire teaching fraternity got united and took to the streets."

When asked, Pradyut Bordoloi, who was also an education minister, said: "By ture Himanta Biswa Sarma takes pleasure by insulting others. Only time can say if his reform measures will boost the educatiol scerio in the State or not, but what he's done is beneath the dignity of an education minister."