Assam CM Sarma hands over 5,550 teacher appointment letters

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Nov 9 formally handed over appointment letters to 5,550 candidates qualified through the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for positions in Lower and Upper Primary schools.

Of the total appointments, 3,800 candidates were assigned as Lower Primary teachers and 1,750 as Upper Primary teachers, according to an official statement.

In addition, CM Sarma distributed 8,799 mobile tablets to teachers under the Shikshak Samal Package and inaugurated the distribution of 4,280 tablets to students as part of the Aarohan Scheme.

Addressing the gathering, Sarma said, “During the last election, I had promised that one lakh youth would be given government jobs if my party formed the government.”

He highlighted that previous administrations had never appointed more than 20,000-25,000 candidates, with many facing legal disputes, allegations of corruption, and administrative hurdles that affected their job security and salaries.

"Since the 1980s, securing a government job in Assam has been a complicated process due to political favoritism and irregularities," the Chief Minister said.

"As a result, many recruitment drives ended up in court or administrative wrangles. Hence, when I promised to provide one lakh jobs, even the opposition and some within the government called it unrealistic,” he added.

Sarma added that a dedicated cabinet committee was established to oversee the recruitment process.

"After rounds of discussions, the government identified that the education, health, and police departments required a large number of teachers, doctors, nurses, and police personnel. The government has so far been able to appoint 121,243 candidates during its tenure," he noted.

"With an additional 5,550 appointments in the teaching sector, the total number of appointments has now increased to 126,793," he said.

"Because the recruitment process was completely transparent and merit-based, there was no dissatisfaction or legal challenge against it. The government has already surpassed its one lakh job target and will soon cross the 1.5 lakh mark," CM Sarma added.

He emphasized that opposition parties no longer question the recruitment process in the Assembly.

"The corruption and nepotism were once common in government appointments, but those days are now over. The youth of Assam now firmly believe that they can earn government jobs through merit and hard work, while those who do not get such jobs are also being supported through self-employment opportunities by various government welfare schemes,” Sarma said.

The Chief Minister also spoke about Assam’s growing industrial landscape, citing the semiconductor project in Jagiroad and ongoing development in Namrup, Chapar, and Numaligarh.

"These industries require skilled human resources, and therefore, the government is appointing trained teachers," he said.

He urged the new teachers to take their duties seriously, stressing the importance of a strong education system to motivate students.

Sarma also outlined the government’s educational initiatives, including constructing new high schools, establishing schools in tea gardens, launching women’s colleges in remote areas, and founding new universities, including Shaheed Kanaklata Barua State University in Gohpur.

The Chief Minister said the government has established 16 new universities, significantly increasing teaching positions.

Since 2012, over 1.5 lakh teachers have been appointed through a transparent process, improving confidence in government schools and encouraging students to return to public education.

Congratulating the appointees, Sarma urged them to teach with integrity and responsibility, set a positive example, care for their parents, and consider enrolling their own children in the schools where they serve.

The ceremony was attended by Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, Public Health Engineering Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah, Handloom, Textiles and Sericulture Minister U G Brahma, Chief Executive Member of the Mising Autonomous Council Parmananda Chayengia, Chairperson of the State Council of Educational Research and Training Nirada Devi, and other senior officials.