Assam government appoints 29,701 teachers in a single day

GUWAHATI

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday distributed appointment letters to 29,701 teachers at a programme held at Sarusajai Sports Complex here.

The ceremonial distribution, which the state government claims to be the biggest-ever appointment letter distribution event in a single day in the state, witnessed 16,484 teachers appointed by virtue of provincialisation of their institutions while 13,217 teachers were given the appointment letters because of their merit.

With the appointments, officials in the education department said that the shortage of teachers in educational institutions of the state would be addressed to a great extent.

Speaking on the occasion, Sonowal said, “The appointment to 29,701 teachers was a testimony of the state government’s keen interest to bring about qualitative improvement in the education sector.”

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Hailing the transparent process adopted in recruiting the teachers, Sonowal further said the newly appointed teachers must shoulder the responsibility to develop youths as quality human resources.

State education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that a sizable number of posts remained out of the purview of provincialisation and the government would positively consider the matter.

Sarma also announced that within the next fortnight, the government would appoint another 5,000 teachers.

Allaying misconceptions, Sarma also said that those teachers who got appointed because of provincialisation of their schools would be entitled to a minimum gratuity of Rs 10 lakh even if they retire from their service within a short period of their appointment.

(Edited by Christopher Gatphoh)