Himanta Biswa Sarma, chief minister of Assam has expressed that the development of 264 schools in the state, as part of the PM Shri School scheme, will propel the implementation of the New Education Policy (NEP). During the launch of the scheme, the CM announced that the state government has identified and selected these 264 schools, marking a significant milestone in Assam’s education sector, according to an official statement.
The PM Shri School scheme, a centrally sponsored initiative aimed at developing over 14,500 schools nationwide, is expected to directly benefit more than 20 lakh students. The implementation of the scheme will unfold over a five-year period starting in 2022, as per the statement.
During the event, the chief minister also conferred the Anundoram Barooah award, featuring a monetary reward of Rs 15,000 each, to 27,183 students who achieved 75% or more marks in the grade 10th examinations. Sarma announced that from the next year onwards, this award will transform into a scholarship, fostering a competitive environment among students. The state government plans to invest Rs 45 crore in this initiative, benefiting 30,000 students from grades 5th, 8th and 10th, subject to their performance in a competitive examination, as per the statement.
In a significant administrative change, Sarma disclosed that the Secondary Education Board of Assam (SEBA) and the Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC) will merge into a unified body next year. This consolidated body will oversee higher secondary examinations. Aligning with the NEP, the chief minister highlighted the shift in focus from grade 10th examinations and the introduction of a comprehensive report card for institutions to monitor the performance of students appearing in higher secondary exams, it added.
With inputs from PTI.