Elementary Education System in Assam

The Government of Assam has passed the Assam Basic Education Act 1954 to accept the national pattern of education. Further this act was amended in 1962 and rules were made regarding control of elementary education and therefore to provide free compulsory education in the state in gradual stages. In 1977, Directorate of Elementary Education was formed for the administration of Free and Compulsory Education in the state.
The Directorate of Elementary Education provided the guidelines regarding qualification of Elementary Teachers, mandatory schools in every village and compulsory enrolment in primary and junior schools.
The Right to Free & Compulsory Education Act, 2009 provides all children between the ages of 6-14 years free and compulsory admission,attendance and completion of elementary education. Thus the act makes Primary School Education and Junior School Education in Assam fundamental rights of every child.

Important Points about Elementary Education System in Assam

Every child of the age of six to fourteen years shall have the right to free and compulsory education.
Where a child above six years of age has not been admitted in any school or though admitted, could not complete his or her elementary education, then, he or she shall be admitted in a class appropriate to his or her age.
No school or person shall, while admitting a child, collect any capitation fee and subject the child or his or her parents or guardian to any screening procedure.
No child shall be denied admission in a school for lack of age proof.
The appropriate Government shall ensure that the child belonging to different linguistic group, religion, caste, sex, weaker section and the child belonging to disadvantaged group are not discriminated against and prevented from pursuing and completing elementary education on any grounds;
No child admitted in a school shall be held back in any class or expelled from school till the completion of elementary education.
No child in the age group 6-14 years shall be subjected to physical punishment or mental harassment.
Teachers shall maintain regularity and punctuality in attending school.
Out of school children will be identified and motivated to enroll for special training to be provided to them for aquiring the required competencies. Children from migratory groups shall also be provided with education.
No teacher shall engage himself or herself in private tuition or private teaching activity.
Children with special needs shall have the right to pursue free and compulsory elementary education in accordance with the provisions of Chapter V of the said Act.
Minimum number of working days/instructional hours in an academic year are (i) two hundred working days and 400 hours for first class to fifth class (ii) two hundred and twenty working days and 1000 hours for sixth class to eighth class.
Minimum number of working hours per week for the teacher is forty-five teaching including preparation hours. The preparation hours will be utilized for lesson planning, preparation of teaching-learning materials, assessment of classwork and homework, remedial teaching for slow learners, designing of school development plan and meeting the parents of irregular students.