Mathematics, Science medium row: AASU stages protest

GUWAHATI: The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) staged a mass satyagraha at Chandmari here today in protest against the State government’s decision to introduce Enligh textbooks in Science and Mathematics from Class VI onward in the state.

Leaders and cadres from various other organizations also took part in the satyagraha and demanded the State government rollback its decision.

Addressing the satyagrahis, chief AASU adviser Samujjal Bhattacharjya said, “By taking an adamant decision, the State Government has pushed up to the streets for agitation. The students have no alternative but to opt for agitation to secure the Assamese as the language and medium of instruction, the Bodo as the language and medium of instruction, etc. The solution to the problem is that the state government should desist from interfering in the medium of instructions. The government should ensure proper English teaching to the students to make them read, write, and speak correct English.”

He further said, “The Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister speak of teaching in mother tongues. However, Assam has taken an oppositional stand. The government should boost the infrastructure of vernacular schools. We, however, have no opposition to teaching English terminology to the students.”

AASU’s in-charge president, Utpal Sarma, said, “The government wants to impose English as the medium of instruction on the students despite UNESCO, NEP-2020, UGC, and the Prime Minister all favouring mother tongue as the medium of instruction. This is a whimsical decision that needs rollback.”

AASU general secretary Sankor Jyoti Baruah said, “One who doesn’t love his mother tongue cannot love his mother land. The BJP government in the state should give up this decision. We will continue our agitation till the government rolls back its decision.”

Some of the organisations that took part in the satyagraha are Asom Rajyik Prathamik Shikshak Sanmilani, SAKP (Sadou Asam Karmachari Parishad), Sadou Asom ME School Teachers’ Association, AXX (Axam Xahitya Xabha), Asom High School Shikshak Santha, etc.

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