Assam gets top rank in alumni aid to schools

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Assam has earned the distinction of being ranked first in the country so far in the implementation of the 'Vidyanjali 2.0' programme launched by the Union Education Ministry in line with the National Educational Policy 2020 (NEP).

Assam's Education Minister Ranoj Pegu has tweeted: "I am glad to share that Assam is now placed at No 1 in the country in #VIDYANJALI in terms of volunteer registration and assets/material contribution by volunteers. 41,817 out of 44,585 (94%) schools and 25,485 volunteers have registered so far. Among many items contributed, the schools have so far received 26,280 ceiling fans. Special thanks to the volunteers."

It may be mentioned that the Vidyanjali 2.0 programme provides a platform for alumni, community, CSR, NGOs, individuals, professionals etc., to contribute voluntary services and assets to various schools through the Vidyanjali portal.

Recently, the State Government decided to involve alumni of respective primary and secondary schools and the community as a whole in the maintenance and improvement of basic amenities of these institutions. A letter was sent by the Mission Director of Samagra Siksha, Assam (SSA), which informed the Deputy Commissioners of all districts of the State, along with the Principal Secretaries of BTR, NC Hills Autonomous Council and Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, that there is a shortage of basic amenities such as desks, benches, ceiling fans and water filters in Government and provincialized schools. The letter further stated that as of now, there is a requirement of 2,06,464 ceiling fans in 31,353 elementary and 4,040 secondary schools in the State. The letter stated that "it may take some time" for the Government to meet this requirement. As such, all Deputy Commissioners were asked to seek the assistance of alumni and the community as a whole by way of donating ceiling fans to the institutions concerned in view of the fact that "alumni and community" are two important stakeholders of (the) school education system and have a great role in improving different development activities of the schools".

Meanwhile, in another positive development, the gross enrolment in Government schools of Assam has seen a rapid increase. Education Minister Pegu said in this regard that "the number of students in Class-IX registered with SEBA has jumped from 4.3 lakh in 2021 to 4.9 lakh in 2022. This signifies a decrease in drop-out rate in transition from Class-VIII to Class-IX, which is a meaningful achievement".

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