In a major development for Assam’s education system, the newly constituted Assam State School Education Board (ASSEB) was inaugurated on Friday in Guwahati. The oath-taking ceremony, held at the Secondary Education Board of Assam (SEBA) office, saw the presence of Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, who underlined the state’s growing focus on skill-based and STEM education.
The newly appointed Chairman, Ramesh Chand Jain, and Vice-Chairman, Rukma Gohain Barua, took their oaths during the event. ASSEB, which now oversees secondary school education in Assam, will manage crucial responsibilities such as examination conduction, certificate issuance, curriculum creation, and syllabus management.
Skill Education: A Core Priority
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Pegu emphasised the urgent need to integrate skills education into the secondary school curriculum. “Our focus has shifted towards STEM and vocational training to equip students with essential skills for employability. A new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been published, and we are working on a framework to combine skills education with general academics seamlessly,” Pegu stated.
The minister explained that various districts in Assam already house higher secondary and multipurpose schools designed to provide vocational and skills-based education alongside traditional academics. This initiative aims to enhance students’ employability and livelihood opportunities, ensuring they are better prepared for the workforce.
Collaboration with Industries for Entrepreneurial Growth
Pegu highlighted the importance of fostering partnerships between schools, industries, and higher education institutions to provide practical skills training. He stressed that schools must sign Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with industries to expose students to entrepreneurial ventures and skill development opportunities. “By encouraging collaborations, we aim to inspire our youth toward entrepreneurship and ensure they become employable in today’s dynamic job market,” Pegu said.
Expansion of Assam’s School Network
Addressing Assam’s need for more educational institutions, Pegu revealed plans to establish 1,500 additional schools to reduce dropout rates. “We currently have about 4,500 schools, but we need an estimated 1,500 more to bring dropout rates to zero,” he explained.
Pegu also highlighted ongoing efforts to expand existing educational infrastructure, mentioning the creation of 116 schools specifically for tea garden areas, with 100 more under construction. Additionally, high schools are being upgraded to offer higher secondary classes, and middle (ME) schools will be upgraded to high schools.
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Historic Unification of SEBA and AHSEC
Concluding his speech, Pegu called the day historic, as SEBA, which has served Assam for the past 60 years, and the Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC), operational for 40 years, were officially merged into one unified board—the ASSEB.
This significant change is expected to streamline the administration of secondary education in Assam, marking a new chapter in the state’s efforts to modernise its education system and focus on skill development.
