Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma interacts with teachers of new TE schools

GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Saturday that the academic year of 97 newly-established Model High Schools in tea garden areas, along with other 13 new Model High Schools in the State, will begin from May 10.

The Chief Minister disclosed this while addressing the principals and teachers of newly-established Model High Schools in Tea Garden areas during an orientation programme at the Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati.

The Chief Minister said that the State Government, with a view to augmenting the academic environment in the tea garden areas, took the step for setting up 119 Model High Schools, out of which 97 schools have been completed.

Terming this as a landmark step, Sarma said that it was for the first time that after 75 years of India's Independence, high schools were set up at tea garden areas. He informed that the remaining 22 model high schools in tea garden areas will be made functional from the next academic year. Moreover, the State Government is going to set up another 81 model high schools in tea garden areas and the newly-established Model High Schools will be upgraded to Higher Secondary schools. Apart from mid-day meal, the Government is planning to provide breakfast to students at these schools, the Chief Minister added.

Stating that presently two kinds of teachers are appointed in Model High Schools in tea garden areas, the Chief Minister informed that while one set of teachers are recruited specifically for these schools, another set of teachers are transferred and posted at these schools from already provincialized schools.

Sarma also said that as many TET teachers having post graduate degrees are working in primary and ME Schools, the Government is planning to give them an opportunity to join the Model High Schools in tea garden areas if they are willing to dedicate their service for the betterment of education and welfare of the tea garden population. However, they will continue to get salary of their previous post, he said, adding that this will give them better exposure.

Stating that it was a unique opportunity for the teachers of the Model High Schools as they have got an opportunity to contribute meaningfully for uplifting the life of the tea garden population who have remained neglected for all these years, Sarma said, "You have got this opportunity to be a part of the history while it is being created as this initiative is not only unique, but also unprecedented."

The Chief Minister also urged the principals to dedicate themselves to transform the model high schools into ideal educational institutions. He also asked the Inspectors of Schools to make frequent visits to these schools to support and guide the teachers and the students.

The Chief Minister further said that the State Government intends to develop this initiative as a successful model for the rest of the country to follow and for this purpose he will soon hold another meeting with the principals of these schools after around three months to have an understanding of their experience and to develop a roadmap for additional efforts needed to be made. He also informed that the State Government is working with a vision to set up one Model School in each Assembly constituency.

Education Minister Dr Ranoj Pegu, Tea Tribes Welfare Minister Sanjay Kishan, Adviser to the Education Department Nani Gopal Mahanta and SEBA Chairman RC Jain were present, among others in the programme.

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