Letters to the EDITOR: New Education Policy of Assam

New Education Policy of Assam

I am writing to express my thoughts on the recently introduced Education Policy of Assam. As a concerned citizen and a member of the academic community, I believe that this policy has the potential to bring significant positive changes to the state's education system. However, it is also essential to highlight some concerns that need to be addressed for its successful implementation.

The policy emphasizes the use of the mother tongue as a medium of instruction, which is a commendable move towards preserving local languages and culture. It will certainly help children develop a strong connection with their roots and make learning more relatable and effective. Additionally, the focus on skill development, vocational training, and the integration of technology in education is a timely and forward-thinking approach that can bridge the gap between traditional education and the needs of the job market.

However, there are a few areas where more attention is needed. The transition to a new system may face challenges, especially in rural areas where infrastructure and resources are still limited. The policy should ensure that proper training and support are provided to teachers and schools to handle these changes effectively. Furthermore, it is crucial to make sure that this shift does not alienate students who are more comfortable with mainstream languages like English or Hindi. The balance between local languages and national languages should be carefully considered to ensure inclusivity.

In conclusion, while the new education policy of Assam holds great promise, its successful implementation will depend on a well-thought-out execution strategy that addresses regional disparities and ensures quality education for all. I hope the authorities will take these points into consideration to make the policy truly beneficial for every student in Assam.

Bibek Rabha

(bibekrabha3@gmail.com)

Growing concern of filicide and patricide

The rising incidents of filicide and patricide in Assam are deeply disturbing and shed light on underlying societal, economic, and psychological challenges. Such heinous acts disrupt the fabric of familial harmony and call for a critical examination of the root causes and potential remedies. These cases are not just out-of-the-way crimes but indicative of broader socio-economic and cultural breakdowns. Economic struggles, cultural transitions, and increasing substance abuse are major triggering factors of this painful trend. Causes of such terrible crime can be broadly stated as— Economic Hardship: Unemployment, along with other financial instability and property disputes, particularly in rural areas, frequently sparks conflicts between parents and children;  Generation Gap: The society has migrated to a nuclear family setup and lost its intergenerational understanding and emotional support. Disagreements over values, responsibilities, and lifestyle choices intensify tensions within families; Mental Health Issues: Mental health has never been prioritised, and it is always neglected by the masses. Conditions like depression, anxiety, and personality disorders often go undiagnosed and untreated, leading to impulsive or violent behaviours. Patients, even guardians, are suffering from a stigma with respect to treatment of mental health. They often feel shy to visit a psychologist for seeking help. This kind of approach always paves the way to an explosion;  Substance Abuse: It would not be out of place to mention that Assam has multiple excuses in the name of cultural legacy for a lenient approach to substance use, although administration is up and roaring to curb it. Excessive or uncontrolled use of such things is fuelling aggressive behaviours; Lack of resolution skills: The society has lost its dispute resolution skills at the micro-unit level, and we have become more self-centric vis-à-vis zero patience while listening to elders. Such attributes and attitudes often lead to tragic outcomes in moments of anger or despair.

The rise in filicide and patricide has broad consequences. These crimes smash the trust and safety within families, leaving the survivors devastated. Such kinds of crimes indicate a sudden fall in our values and ethos of Assamese society. Now the questions arise as to how this can be tackled. What’s the way forward, and whose responsibility is this? It is believed that this problem has not arrived at this stage in a single day, and it cannot be alleviated in a single day. It requires a collective approach; first identify the causes and try to eliminate it from the grassroots. The government plays an important role on such social issues, and these can be reduced by curbing those direct factors.

Firoz Ahmed

Salikajhar, Darrang