Education Minister Dr. Ranoj Pegu assures to solve problems of Bodo medium education

OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOKRAJHAR: An interaction session with the Education Minister of Assam, Dr. Ranoj Pegu on the topic- 'Present education system and employability' was organized by the National Institute of Bodology (NIB) and UNB Trust, in coordination with BTR government, at Brajendra Kumar Brahma Memorial Seminar Hall, CIT-Kokrajhar recently.

In the event, Minister of Handloom & Textile and WPT&BC (BTC), UG Brahma was also present. The programme was attended by many Principals of colleges of BTR, along with the faculty members of Bodoland University (BU) and several other colleges and teachers from schools. The Education Minister collected several questions from the participants and presented very logical and scientific replies to address all the issues of the education system in Assam.

Pegu said that he would look into the problems of the Bodo medium education inside and outside BTC, besides taking initiative for provincialization of schools, appointment of teachers and extension of basic infrastructures. He said that he would approach the Chief Minister for upgradation of Bodoland University (BU) to central university and other higher educational institutions to be set up in BTC region. He assured that Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma and his department were closely looking at all the issues of education from school level to higher education. The minister emphasized the responsibilities of communities to solve all such problems. He also said that he would look into the issue of separate Directorate for Bodo and other tribal languages.

Pramod Boro, chief of BTC, also addressed on the occasion. He welcomed the suggestions from teachers and research scholars to improve quality of education in BTR and to make the youths more employable. He said that BU, the only premier higher educational institution of the council, was a product of the sacrifice of thousands of Bodos. He said that they had discussed with the Education Minister to take necessary steps for upgradation of BU to central university.

Dr. Ranoj Pegu visited the Central Institute of Technology (CIT-Kokrajhar) on that day where he attended an interaction meeting with the members of NIB, UN Brahma Trust and CIT fraternity. He was accompanied by minister Urkhao Gwra Brahma and BTC chief Pramod Boro. Some of the important issues raised in the discussion included declining enrolment in government schools, high dropout rate in Bodo medium schools, indifferent attitude of certain intellectuals and parents towards mother tongue education, provincialization of schools and colleges and creation of job opportunities.

The minister focused on community ownership of vernacular medium schools and the need for social responsibility of academicians. He also said that higher institutions should be the hubs for student exchange, collaboration and gateway to the universe for students and faculty.

Earlier, he held meeting with the All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU), Bodo Sahitya Sabha (BSS), All Bodo Primary Teachers' Association (ABPTA), Dularai Boro Harimu Afad (DBHA) and others at BTC Secretariat. He also held separate meeting with chief of BTC, Pramod Boro and higher officials of education department of the council.

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