Assam schools must teach maths, science in English, have nearby universities as mentors: Draft School Rules

NEW DELHI: The Assam Cabinet has approved a new School Rule Book for developing quality parameters for all government schools in the state. The draft of the rule book, released by Samagra Shiksha Assam, details the roles and responsibilities that each teacher, principal, and student should follow.

For instance, it states that schools must teach maths and science in English in addition to the local language. It also states that each school should have a nearby multidisciplinary Higher Education Institution (HEIs) as their mentoring institution.

The draft has even directed schools to display frame portraits of “Mahatma Gandhi, President of India, prime minister of India and chief minister of Assam” in the classrooms.

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The draft states that all school management committees (SMCs), which includes parents and teachers, should visit nearby schools or colleges of a higher level and “request support for academic and co-curricular activities”.

It said that two institutions of lower and higher levels must develop a close bond for cooperation, whether this is between primary and secondary schools or secondary schools and colleges or universities.

“All schools should tie up with nearby multidisciplinary Higher Education Institution (HEIs) as their mentoring institution and make provision for exposure visit of their students to such HEI especially in respect of laboratories facilities, library, digital initiative etc. Model classes and popular talks by the faculties of such HEIs to be arranged on emerging topics,” the draft said.

Maths, science get 'special attention'

The draft rules also directed all schools to “pay special attention to the teaching of maths and science”. It said that the teachers of mathematics and science are also required to teach in English medium in addition to the medium of instruction of the school. Teachers are also required to be well-aware of various tests and examinations held to popularise science and maths including science olympiad, maths olympiad, etc.

It said that all teachers, irrespective of their assigned subject, should have minimum knowledge about electronic devices such as computers, mobile phones, smart classroom equipment etc.

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According to the draft, schools should maintain an enrolment and attendance register and should report to higher authority if a student is absent for more than a week. It also suggests giving remedial measures or special classes to help absentee students cope with learning loss.

It directs that all schools must maintain a database of all passed out students or alumni of the school with updated contact details and reflect their present occupation, qualification, and any remarkable contribution towards society.

Grants and committees

In schools with enrolment above 200 students, the draft proposes the creation of a Committee for Co-curricular Activities. The committee will be in charge of preparing the annual plan of co-curricular activities in schools.

The draft also lists grants to be given to government elementary (Classes 1 to 8) schools. This includes:

• Library grants:
  a) Rs 5,000 for Classes 1 to 5
  b) Rs 13,000 for Classes 6 to 8
  c) Rs 15,000 for Classes 1 to 8

• Rs 600 per student for school uniform

• Composite school grants:
  a) Rs 10,000 for 30 enrolments
  b) Rs 25,000 for 100 enrolments
  c) Rs 50,000 for 250 enrolments
  d) Rs 75,000 for 1,000 enrolments
  e) Rs one lakh for above 1,000 enrolments

• Sports and physical education grant:
  a) Rs 5,000 for Classes 1 to 5
  b) Rs 10,000 for Classes 1 to 8
  c) Rs 25,000 for Classes 8 to 10

• Rs 3,500 per annum per child with special needs

The principals are instructed to constitute an Internal Complaint Committee (ICC) in the schools. They are also instructed to not allow “any student to participate in any Demonstration, Dharna etc”.