IIT-G to train Assam teachers

'We have accepted that request and have decided that IIT Guwahati will initiate a teachers training project in collaboration with NCERT and the school education board in Assam. Under the project, christened as "T-10k-T", ten thousand teachers in Assam will be provided the training'

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, June 8: IIT Guwahati will train 10,000 teachers in Assam, Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani said today, informing that the Assam government will soon sign an MoU with the institute for the project.

Speaking to reporters after attending the 17th convocation of IIT-Guwahati, Irani said she was requested by State Education Minister Sarat Barkataky that school teachers in the State be given training in science and mathematics. "We have accepted that request and have decided that IIT Guwahati will initiate a teachers training project in collaboration with NCERT and the school education board in Assam. Under the project, christened as "T-10k-T", ten thousand teachers in Assam will be provided the training," the Union minister said.

Queried about irregular payment of salaries to teachers of the State, Irani said that she has been informed by the State Education minister that all the salaries have been cleared through RTGS. "I have also recommended and requested him that if any teacher is still left unpaid, they can do a district-wise check and provide them the payment if they have not received it so far. I am grateful that the minister has accepted my request and I am hopeful that there will be no more complaints," she said.

She also invited suggestions for reforms in the country's education policy.

Irani said that the proposal for inclusion of topics on the Northeast in NCERT course should come from the State governments and people of the region.

The Union minister also announced a Rs one lakh reward to any IIT faculty member who designs a new course for knowledge development.

"Faculties are the fulcrum of our education system. But when discussing the status of education, people often crib that faculties have not been able to develop new courses," she told the 17th convocation of IIT-Guwahati.

"I now announce a Rs one lakh reward to any faculty member who designs a new knowledge development course," the minister said.

On a lighter note, Irani added, "Faculty members think these politicians only think for the youth and not for them. The faculties of the IITs are as important as their students."

"The Director was telling me that the graduates have got very good placements in the country and globally. I was hoping he would pick one of these graduates to be part of the faculty. I shall be grateful for life if any one was picked," Irani said.

She lauded IIT-G for its support to government's 'Ishan Vikas' and 'Unt Bharat' programmes to integrate the nearby school children with the institute, and efforts to train 10,000 school teachers.

Altogether 1,117 students received their degrees from IIT Guwahati in Monday's convocation. They comprised of 578 who received B Tech and B Des degrees, 267 who received M Tech and M Des degrees and 124 who received their PhDs.