GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed concerns on Tuesday about the “not-so-satisfactory” gross enrolment ratio in higher education in the state, as highlighted in the recently published All India Survey on Higher Education.
Speaking at a review meeting on the “Progress of Implementation of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in Higher Educational Institutions of Assam,” Sarma remarked that the gross enrolment ratio in the state does not align with the investments made in the higher education system.
“The gross enrolment in the state is stagnant in the 17-18 percent range, despite substantial investments in the higher education system over the past decade or so,” commented the chief minister.
He emphasised the need for a holistic approach to achieve a more desirable gross enrolment ratio in the future. “It is the responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure that higher education becomes more accessible and affordable for all eligible individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic status,” Sarma stated.
The review meeting, organized by Raj Bhawan, Assam, and the state government’s higher education department and general administration department at Assam Administrative Staff College, Khanapara, was also attended by Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria.
The chief minister expressed gratitude towards Governor Kataria for his role in holding the review meeting. “The Governor has been consistently urging the state administration and higher educational institutions across Assam to implement the provisions of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 since the beginning of his tenure here,” said Sarma.
He also hinted at exploring the possibility of introducing a new scholarship system for eligible students pursuing courses in higher education institutions across the state.
“Campuses of higher educational institutions should become centers for students’ welfare, and institutions may consider creating a post of director of students’ welfare for that purpose. Student agitation on matters ranging from education and course-related issues to political subjects reflects the failure of an educational institution,” added the chief minister.
He urged vice-chancellors of universities across the state to serve as role models in leadership and welfare for students. “Vice-chancellors must ensure that their institutions fulfill the purposes behind their establishments,” Sarma emphasized.
Stating that there is no room for irregularities in recruitment to fill vacancies in contemporary Assam, Sarma appealed to the heads of higher educational institutions to eliminate nepotism and favoritism from their campuses.
He also called upon government officials and heads of higher educational institutions to collaborate on preparing a uniform academic calendar and develop institutional development plans that consider the demands and requirements of the contemporary educational scenario in the country.
The chief minister urged the optimum deployment of resources at the disposal of higher educational institutions and reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting female education.
“Promotion of female education has always been a priority for the current dispensation in the state, and numerous far-reaching measures can be expected in this regard in the days to come,” Sarma assured.
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He expressed confidence that Assam would serve as a role model in implementing the provisions of NEP 2020 in both letter and spirit. Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, Education Advisor to the Government of Assam Noni Gopal Mahanta, and Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Assam V.S. Samal were also present at the review meeting.
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