Official statement regarding Assam contractual teachers on pay scale of permanent employees

Around 4,500 contractual teachers in Assam are enjoying the same pay scale and benefits as regular employees, including the right to work until the age of 60. The Education Department has no plans to convert them to permanent appointments, as confirmed by a senior government official.

The Director of Secondary Education in Assam, Mamata Hojai, stated that the contractual teachers have been given the perks of permanent teachers for the past three and a half years. They can continue working till they reach 60 years old, along with other benefits. The state government provided these facilities a few years ago.

Hojai questioned the necessity of offering regular appointments to the teachers who are already receiving similar benefits. The Education Department currently has no intentions of making such transitions. Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu mentioned that over 25,000 TET-qualified teachers in primary schools will receive regular appointments.

Education Secretary Narayan Konwar revealed that a group of teachers have taken the matter to the High Court, leading to a suspension of the appointment process. The government awaits the court’s decision before making any further statements on the issue. The state initially hired around 8,000 contract teachers in 2010 for subjects like Science, Mathematics, and English at the high school level, with 3,500 transitioning to other roles over time.