College teachers to undergo RT-PCR Test & attend their institutions on 1 Sept: DHE Assam

August 25: On 19 August, Commissioner & Secretary to the Government of Assam had already notified teachers of schools, colleges, universities, training institutions of the state to undergo RT-PCR Test between 21 August to 30 August,2020 as a safety measure before attending their respective institutions on 1 September, 2020. Following this, G.Phukan, Director of Higher Education, Assam has now come up with an official order addressed to all Registrar of State Universities, Principal of Government and Provincialised Colleges in the state for taking necessary action in this connection.

DHE Assam in the order issued on 25 August, 2020 wrote, “In pursuance of Government Notification No. AHE.202/2020/38 dated 19th August 2020 issued by Higher Education Department to the Govt. of Assam, it is hereby requested to all teachers of State Universities, Govt. and Provincialised Colleges of Assam to undergo COVID-RT-PCR test with effect from 21st August to 30th August, 2020 as a safety measure before attending their respective Institutions. Further, all teachers should attend their respective Institutions w.e.f 1st September 2020.”

However, this order issued by the DHE Assam has now caught the College teachers of Barak Valley in the horns of dilemma. The three districts of Barak Valley would now enter again into a phase of stricter restrictions (lockdown) from 5 AM of 27 August till 12 midnight of 4 September. Many teachers unwilling to be named expressed anguish as regards going for swab test during ‘lockdown.’

On being contacted, an official in the district administration, Cachar said, “The order issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Cachar regarding restrictions from 27 August clearly specifies that the citizens are encouraged to come for testing at the Covid Counselling and screening Centres across the district where tests for COVID-19 will be carried out every day between 9:30 AM to 4 PM. Even vehicles may be used only for emergency services and for ferrying passengers to and fro from Covid testing centres, exam centres and other such whilst following strict Covid protocols. So the teachers should not have any problem coming for the RT-PCR tests at the designated centres.”

Sudarshan Gupta, former President of ACTA Cachar Zone said, “None of us are unwilling to go for the tests. We would, however, urge upon the College Principals to take up this matter with the district administration so that they could send the mobile teams to the respective institutions and collect the swab samples from there. This system would ease the problem and also expedite the process.”

As regards attending the respective institutions by the College teachers from 1st September, 2020, Sudarshan Gupta said, “In this matter also, we welcome this step of the state government. However, at the same time, the college teachers in the 3 districts of Barak Valley are now at a disadvantaged position due to the imposition of stricter restrictions from 27 August till 4 September. As vehicles may only be used for emergency services during this phase, so it would be very difficult for the teachers to reach their respective institutions on and from 1st September. The Principals of the colleges in the valley should contact the respective Deputy Commissioners and make them aware of this issue. They should urge upon the district administration to make provision so that the teachers of the valley are allowed to attend their respective institutions on 5th September instead of September 1. This is indeed a matter of great concern”