Clause 5 withdrawn: HSLC, HS Certificates to be valid for all jobs: Ranoj Pegu

July 8: In a high level meeting, the controversial Clause 5 of Notifications for Class X & XII by Assam government has been withdrawn. This was announced on Thursday by State Education Minister Dr. Ranoj Pegu.

The government of Assam on 1 July has announced the evaluation criteria for the students of Class X and Class XII. However, a state-wide protest erupted following the controversial ‘Clause 5’ in both the Notifications (for Class X & XII). The said clause stated, “…those students who aspire to become teachers/ employees in the Education Department of Assam or any other Department under Government of Assam where recruitment of teachers/ employees are substantially based on HSLC or HSSLC marks, without there being any scope of written test or interview, shall have to appear in special HSLC/AHM examination to be conducted later after improvement of the situation.”

On 8 July, a meeting was held in Guwahati, which was chaired by Assam chief minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, and attended by Education Minister Dr Ranoj Pegu, Secretary of both SEBA & AHSEC, AASU, AJYCP and  ABSU. After a threadbare discussion, Education Minister informed the media that “Clause 5 in both the Notifications (for Class X & XII) has been completely withdrawn.” He further said that, the certificates and mark sheets of the students of HSLC and HSSLC of this year shall be valid for all government jobs.

Education Minister Dr Pegu, however, was quick to add, “As of now, this Clause 5 has been declared totally null and void. But in the future, Assam government may decide to conduct an equalising examination for jobs of teacher (from elementary to college level) where the marks of HSLC and HS are taken into consideration.” He further said that for seeking jobs of teacher in Assam, those who have passed HSLC and HS from other boards (including CBSE) this year, where also the exams were not conducted, may have to appear in such equalising examination, if it is conducted.

Taking to his twitter handle, Chief Minister Dr himanta Biswa Sarma wrote, “It is decided that clause 5 of the govt notification issued regarding alternative evaluation formula on the basis of expert committee report would be removed. The certificates & mark sheets provided under the formula would be valid in applying for higher education, jobs etc. A separate exam may be held for teachers’ recruitment in schools and colleges, if deemed necessary. Rank holder system would not be there in HSLC and HS exams under the new formula. Only distinction and star marks would be given”

It is decided that clause 5 of the govt notification issued regarding alternative evaluation formula on the basis of expert committee report would be removed. The certificates & mark sheets provided under the formula would be valid in applying for higher education, jobs etc. 2/3 pic.twitter.com/gnYyYxhFdo

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 8, 2021

It was further reiterated that there will be no rank list for top ten students and the highest marks in each subject will not be announced. It was also recommended that there will be no provision for Re-Checking of Answers Scripts since there is no physical examination held this year. However, students’ grievance of any error(s) reported will be endorsed.