Educational Infrastructure in Assam

Education is the key input for the development of individual as well as the society. Education is accepted as one of the crucial inputs for nation building. The vision 2020, concerned with the sector of Elementary Education, is focussed on the accomplishing of the constitutional obligation of providing free and compulsory education for every child within the age group of 6-14 years and achieving the goal of universalisation of Elementary Education both in letter and spirit. The State Government equally put emphasis on to providing qualitative technical education to build technical skills to cater the needs of the economy.. Keeping in view the importance of education in the socio-economic development the State Government has been implementing various educational programmes.

Educational Progress:

Literacy rate of Assam is 63.25 percent, as per Census 2001, which is behind the national average of 64.8 percent. For achieving the objective Universal Elementary Education (UEE), Sarva Siksha Abhijan (SSA) is being pursued. To give more thrust on the issue, some other schemes under the State Plan, such as Cash awards to teachers for dedicated services, Incentive to institution for continuous good academic performance, Introduction of Mobile Education, Incentive to Girl children in the age group of 6-14 years to encourage the girl students, Financial grant to provide school uniform to BPL families, MIS known as District Information System on Education (DISE) has been operationalized, etc.

Elementary Education:

The Sarvsa Sikhsa Abhijan (SSA) is responsible to provide education upto the age of 14 years, a fundamental right of every child. The framework of Sarva Sikhsa Abhijan has been designed as a peoples’ movement for education for all, which will provide useful and relevant elementary education of satisfactory quality for all by 2020 AD bridging all social and gender gaps of the society.

School Facilitated Under Sarva Sikhsa Abhijan (SSA), 2009-10:

Source: Economic Survey Assam 2010-11

During 2009-10 the number of children in the School has increased as compared to the previous year. The total children in the age group of 6-14 years in school during 2009-10, as per District Information System for Education (DISE) of SSA was 6635131 numbers. Thus, percentage of children out of the school was 4.0 percent.

There has been an impressive growth of the elementary education system in Assam in the last few decades. This significant increase in the number of Primary schools and Upper Primary Schools, the number of teachers at Primary & Upper Primary and enrolments at both the levels of elementary education.

Statistics of Elementary Education in Govt. / Provincialised school:

Source: Economic Survey Assam 2010-11

Pupil Teacher Ratio (PTR):

The Pupil-Teacher ratio at Primary and Upper Primary school in the State has been found satisfactory but statistics reveals that during 2009-10, as many as 7474 numbers of Primary school [i.e. around 25 percent of total Primary school] are identified as Single Teacher school and 11.2 percent schools under Elementary sector school, in the State are identified as Single Teacher school having students.

Pupil Teacher Ratio, Assam:

Source: Economic Survey Assam 2010-11

District wise number of Educational Institutions having various facilities in Assam upto 31^st March, 2010:

Source: Economic Survey Assam 2010-11

Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER):

The Gross Enrolment Ratio of Primary School has been increased from 85 percent in 2003-04 to 100 percent in 2007-08 and is expected to increase to 110 percent in 2015 by covering underage and overage of 6-14 years of age. In case of Upper Primary School the Gross Enrolment Ratio has increased to 97 percent in 2007-08 from 60 percent in 2003-04 and it is expected to increase to 105 percent in 2015. The dropout in primary and upper primary is expected to be nil in 2015.

Gross Enrolment Ratio, Net Enrolment Ratio and Dropout Ratio in Primary and Upper Primary Level:

(Figure in Percentage)

Source: Economic Survey Assam 2010-11

Budget for Elementary Education:

The State Govt. is gradually increasing the allocation of budget in respect of Elementary Education so as to fulfil the aim and objective of universalisation of elementary education for the State. A good amount of money has also been spent by the State Government under elementary education. An amount of Rs.11543.00 lakh has been received in the Annual Plan 2010-11 for implementation of the development schemes under elementary education, Assam. An amount of Rs.6600.00 lakh is proposed for Annual Plan 2010-11 as State share 10 percent (90:10) to Sarva Siksha Abhijan.

Budget Provision and Expenditure of Elementary Education:

Source: Economic Survey Assam 2010-11
 

Mid Day Meal Scheme:

The Government of India has launched a countrywide Programme of Nutritional support to Primary education commonly known as Mid-Day-Meal Scheme on 15^thAugust, 1995 through the State Governments in order to give boost to universalization of Primary Education by increasing enrolment, attendance and retention in Primary Education and to improve the standard of education. In Assam this scheme has been started on January/2005.

The programme covered all Government and Provincialised Primary schools and Primary Section of MV School receiving financial assistance, EGS and AIE centres. During 2009-10, it has been proposed to cover all the aforementioned schools/centres as well as their enrolment from class I to V. The State Govt provides 10 percent of total fund as State share for cooking cost @ Rs.0.20 per student per teaching day for implementation of cooked Mid-Day-Scheme For this scheme, the Government of India provides cost free food grains (rice) and the cost of cooking. The Government of India also reimburses the transport charges under the scheme.

Adult Education:

Adult Education programme was started on National Basis in the year 1978-79. Subsequently after constitution of National Literacy Mission (NLM) in 1988, the total literacy campaign came into being. During the year 2009 the Sakshar Bharat Mission 2012 has been launched by the Govt. of India.

In Assam, the tasks of implementation of adult literacy programmes have been entrusted upon Zila Saksharata Samitees (ZSS) of different districts. The Programme is funded on sharing basis between the
State Government and Government of India. The State Government bears one third costs as State share. So far 22 Districts have been covered under Total Literacy Campaign (TLC) and out of the total 22 Districts, 7 Districts have been covered under Post Literacy Programme (PLP). During the Annual Plan 2009-10, it is proposed to provide educational facility to 4000 illiterate child labour.

Madrassa Education:

A separate Directorate of Madrassa Education has been created in 2005, earlier it was a part of Directorate of Secondary Education. At present there are as many as 524 pre-senior Madrassas, 164 Senior Madrassas, 5 Arabic Colleges, 14 Title Madrassas, and 500 Voluntary Moktab Madrassas continuing Madrassa education in the State.. There are more than 1.20 lakh students enrolled in 707 Madrassa Institution in the State as on 1.1.2010.During the 11^th Five Year Plan (2007-2012) 325 Madrassas are proposed for provincialisation with 3888 posts under State Plan.

There is a budget provision of 3510.00 lakhs during 2009-10 under Language Development including Financial Assistance to Non-Govt. Madrassas (plan).

An outlay of Rs.7662.00 lakhs has been proposed for the annual plan (2010-2011) under the State Plan.

Technical Education:

Engineering Colleges:

There are two State Engineering Colleges, namely, Assam Engineering College, Guwahati and Jorhat Engineering College, Jorhat imparting Bachelor of Engineering Degree Courses in the disciple of Civil, Electrical, Chemical, Mechanical, Electronics & Telecommunication, Instrumentation Engineering, Industrial & Production Engineering and Computer Science & Engineering. Masters of Engineering Courses in Civil Engineering and Research works in the Degree & Ph.D is being carried out in civil, chemical, mechanical Engineering in Assam Engineering, Guwahati. Already 5 scholars were awarded Ph D degree by Gauhati University for the Research in the Department of Civil Engineering. Although the Bachelor of Engineering courses in Instrumentation Engineering, Industrial & Production Engineering and Computer Sc. & Engineering were introduced by the Govt in 1998, for which there was no adequate laboratory facility and that facility has been set up in both the Engineering College. For development and upliftment of the two Engineering Colleges, the following schemes are proposed for implementation during the 11^th Five year Plan period.

• Creating laboratory facilities for three new Bachelor Engineering Degree Courses.

• Modernization of all the existing laboratories & Workshop.

• Two separate buildings for the College library of two colleges as recommended by AICTE

• Increase the intake capacity of Bachelor Engineering Degree Courses.

• Introduction of Bachelor Engineering Degree Course in Information Technology at Assam Engineering College with 30 intake.

• To establish the Training & Placement Cell at each College, since training is a part of the curriculum and placement of students after graduation is absolutely necessary. For this one office assistant for each cell is proposed to be provided. A vehicle is to be provided to each cell for mobility of the training and placement officer and to receive and to provide transport to the visibly recruiting personnel from the organization.

To achieve the above mentioned goals during the Annual Plan 2010-11 an amount of Rs.409.00 lakh is proposed.
 

Centrally Sponsored Schemes:

• P G Course in Watershed Management and Flood control at Assam Engineering College with 100% Central Share;

• P G Course in Soil Mechanics at Assam Engineering College, Guwahati with 100% Central Share;

• Removal of Abst. & Modernisation of Laboratories in Computer in Engineering Colleges with 100% Central Share;

• MCA at Assam Engineering College, Guwahati and Jorhat Engineering College, Jorhat with 100% Central Share;

• Community Polytechnic Scheme with 100% Central Share;

• 50% Central Share as grant in aid to Regional Engineering College, Silchar;

• Post Diploma Course in Computer Application with 100% Central Share;

• NEC Scholarship & Book-grant to the meritorious students with 90% central share

An outlay of Rs.263.00 lakh is proposed to provide during the Annual Plan 2010-11 under Centrally Sponsored Scheme.

Steps taken for Expansion and Development of Technical Education in the State:

For the expansion of Technical Education in the State, steps have been taken for establishing new Engineering College, polytechnics and technical University. The intake capacity of Jorhat Engineering College, at Jorhat and Assam Engineering College, at Guwahati, has increased from 590 to 753 during 2009-10. Engineering Course has already been started in Guwahati University, Dibrugarh University and Jorhat Institute of science and Technology from the academic year 2009-10 with intake capacity of 165, 240 and 120 respectively. Engineering courses is going to be started in B.B. Engineering college, Kokrajhar with intake capacity of 120 during 2010-11 Besides these Four (4) Engineering college under private sector has the intake capacity of 1060. Hence the intake .capacity of Engineering courses has been increased to 2458.

Following projects are proposed to be implemented during 2010:

• Government has issued NOC to start two new Engineering Diploma course in Garment Technology & Fashion Design at Assam Textile Institute Guwahati.

• To upgrade the Jorhat Science College to the Jorhat Institute of Science and Technology, an amount of Rs.150.00 lakh has been released, for the purpose.

• An amount of Rs.50.00 lakh has been provided for establishment of 11 nos. of training cum placement cell in the existing. 9 polytechnics, Assam Engineering collage and Jorhat Engineering collage.

• The Government has proposed to set up two new Engineering colleges at Dhemaji and Goalpara under Chief Minister’s special scheme.

• Set up of Technical University at Nagaon under public private partnership under Chief Minister’s Special scheme.

• Infrastructural development of Asaam Engineering College under Assam Bikash Yojana.

• Establishment of University of Science and Technology.

Junior Technical Schools (JTS):

At present there are two Junior Technical Schools (JTS) running in the State of which one is at Sivasagar and the other one is at Goalpara.

Polytechnics:

At present there are nine (9) polytechnics in General area offering various Diploma courses:

The intake capacity of these institutions is 3810.

• In view of the unemployment of diploma engineers in traditional branches such as civil, electrical etc it is proposed to reduce the intake in some courses like civil Engineering. etc and increase the intake in presently relevant courses such as computer Engg. electronics Engg. etc and introduce these courses in institutions where it does not exist.

• It is proposed to introduce Diploma courses of IT / Computer Applications in all Polytechnics.

• To enhance the facilities for Technical Degree Courses it is proposed to upgrade some branches of existing Polytechnic to Degree level.

• An amount of Rs.189.00 lakh is proposed to achieve these goals in the Annual Plan 2010-2011.

Medical Education:

The Directorate of Medical Education, Assam is entrusted with the task of generating human resources like Doctors, Nurses, Technicians, Physiotherapist, Pharmacist and other Health personnel to meet the growing needs of not only of the state but the entire North Eastern Region.

In MBBS course in the three Medical Colleges of the State the numbers of seats have been augmented from 391 to 426. To augment the capacity further, 3 new Medical Colleges at Jorhat, Tezpur and Barpeta with 100 MBBS seats in each Medical Colleges are being set up, while Jorhat Medical College has been started functioning from the current year. Two more Medical Colleges viz, at Diphu and Nagaon are also going to be established. The PG seats in the Medical Colleges have been increased from 246 to 347. In addition to this, 16 seats in super speciality subjects have been created in the Gauhati Medical College.

Srimanta Sankardeva University of Health Sciences has been established to monitor and to suitably strengthen the Medical Education in the State.

The Government has been extremely concerned about the poor availability of doctors in the rural areas and to remedy the situation an Institute has been set up at Jorhat to impart training and grant Diploma in Medical and Rural Health Care. The Institute has been started functioning and the 1^st batch of 92 Diploma holders which passed out in 2009, have been appointed in the rural health institutions.

Three Institutes of Paramedical Sciences at Guwahati Medical College at Guwahati, Assam Medical College at Dibrugarh and Silchar Medical College at Silchar with 12 different courses having intake capacity of 400 has been started from 2008-09.

The intake capacity for GNM course has increased to 912 in 15 nos. of GNM schools. With establishment of 8 new GNM Schools, out of which 5 have been already been completed with creation of manpower, the intake capacity of GNM trainees will stand at 1287.

Besides there are one Regional Dental College, three Homeopathy College, one Nursing College, and one Ayurved College in the State under medical education.

Higher Education:

Status of Institutions under Higher Education in 2009-2010:

1. Gauwahati University (1948)

2. Dibrugarh University (1965)

3. Assam Agriculture University (1965)

4. Central University, Tezpur (1994)

5. Assam University (1994)

6. KK Handique State Open University (2007)

7. Donbosco University (2007)

8. Downtown University (2007)

9. Bodoland University (2008)

10. Women University (2009)

11. Kumar Bhaskar Barman University, Nalbari (Proposed 2010)

12. Assam Science and Technical University (Proposed 2010)

13. Institution of national importance- (a) Indian Institute of Technology (b) National Institute of Technology

New projects / Initiatives of Infrastructure development etc.:

Kokrajhar college was taken over as Govt. college (2007)

• Rs.93.371 lakh released to KK Handique Govt. Sanskrit college under NLCPR project in 2007-2008.

• Rs.55.33 lakh released to Kharupetia College under NLCPR project in 2008-2009

• Rs.1500 lakh sanctioned to G.U., D.U. & 102 rural colleges in Assam under ACA scheme in 2009-10

• Cotton College is proposed to be upgraded as International College (2010-2011)

• Rs.300 lakh provided for administrative, academic, science building etc. for Bodoland University in 2010-2011.

• Rs.400 lakh provided for infrastructure development of Gauhati University & Dibrugarh University under ACA Schemes.

• Rs.1000 lakh provided for infrastructure development of rural colleges in Assam under ACA schemes.

New academic related:

• 5- year LLB degree course introduced in B.R.M. Govt. Law College (2008-2009)

• 4- year BE / B.Tech, M.Tech. in campus courses introduced in Gauhati University (2009)

Teacher related:

• Service of teaching and non teaching staff of 189 provincialised colleges made pension able.

• Teacher Training & Placement cell set up in 7 Govt. and 189 Provincialised colleges (2009)

• Grant-in- Aid @ Rs.5 lakh to 100 Sanskrit lols announced.

• Payment @ Rs.8000/- w.e.f. 2010-2011 to teachers in 142 non Govt. College / streams announced.

Source: Economic Survey Assam 2010-11