BTR Venture Schools Committee Demands Provincialization by Aug 15

BTR Venture Schools Committee Demands Provincialization by Aug 15

 The All BTR Venture Educational Institutions Coordination Committee has once again urged the BTC government to provincialize all 712 venture educational institutions in the region, just as it has initiated the process for 26 colleges. Following the BTC government's announcement on July 10 regarding the provincialization of the remaining 16 venture colleges in the BTR area, the committee has demanded equal attention for lower and upper primary schools, high schools, and senior secondary institutions that have long been spreading the light of education in the region. Addressing a press conference on Tuesday at Kokrajhar Press Club, the chief convenor of the committee, Jagat Ray, expressed gratitude to the BTC government but also strongly criticized its apparent bias. He alleged that while 450 lower primary schools, 150 upper primary schools, 96 high schools, and 16 senior secondary venture institutions remain neglected, the government is focusing only on higher education. Ray reminded that Clause 6.3 of the BTR Accord promises the provincialization of all venture institutions—from primary to senior secondary—along with the resolution of issues related to teachers and staff. Despite repeated appeals, no action has been taken in this regard. He termed the selective provincialization of colleges as “unfortunate” for thousands of teachers and employees in venture institutions. Tapan Bhowmik, another convenor of the committee, sharply criticized what he described as the discriminatory policies of the BTC government. He alleged that the implementation of Clause 6.3 has been partial and biased. Referring to past developments, Ray mentioned that although 10 colleges were provincialized earlier under Clause 6.3, it was promised that senior secondary schools, high schools, ME schools, and LP schools would be included in the next phases. However, that promise has remained unfulfilled. Now, with another 16 colleges being taken up for provincialization, it has led to frustration among educators working in non-college institutions. The committee has demanded that all venture institutions established 25 to 40 years ago must be provincialized before August 15. Failing this, teachers and employees of these institutions will be compelled to explore political alternatives in the upcoming council and assembly elections. Supporting the demand, Indrajit Basumatary, president of the Senior Secondary Venture Schools Association, also expressed concern over the government’s focus solely on colleges. He reiterated that schools at various levels have been unfairly excluded and demanded their inclusion under Clause 6.3 by August 15. The press meet concluded with a stern warning from the committee that if their demands are not addressed, teachers’ organizations will respond appropriately during the forthcoming elections. Among those present at the press conference were Amal Basumatary, secretary of the All BTR Venture High School Teachers' Association; Tilak Dipraj Ray, vice president of the Primary Teachers' Association; and several other key leaders.