The Assam government has regularized the jobs of nearly 24,000 contractual teachers in primary schools across the state. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma gave appointment letters to 23,956 teachers, confirming their transition to regular positions.
This move ensures that these teachers, initially hired under the Sarba Siksha Abhiyan in 2012, will now receive the same benefits as permanent staff, including access to housing loans and pay protection for their families in the event of death during service.
At the event, CM Sarma highlighted that these teachers, previously labelled as 'contractual,' can now take pride in their permanent status. The state has collaborated with the State Bank of India (SBI) to offer mortgage-free housing loans, a benefit previously unavailable to contractual employees. Sarma assured that he would negotiate with SBI to prioritize these newly regularized teachers for house-building loans.
The decision follows a particular recruitment drive initiated by the Education Department on August 5. Contractual teachers could either continue in their current roles or accept regular positions with a reduced pay scale. While 23,956 teachers opted for regularization, approximately 11,000 remained in their existing posts. Despite protests demanding complete pay protection, the state government maintained its stance, offering fresh appointment letters under the revised terms.