March 27, 2025: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while announcing the results of Gunotsav 2025 today, declared that Assam is witnessing a transformative wave in its education sector. The state’s flagship quality assessment initiative, Gunotsav, has now evolved into a celebration of educational excellence. Highlighting Assam’s remarkable progress, the Chief Minister asserted that the state is setting new benchmarks and outperforming several educational parameters.

With nearly 20,000 more public sector educational institutions than Tamil Nadu, the government's commitment to strengthening public education is evident. "Our education system is progressing by leaps and bounds. We are ahead of Tamil Nadu — known for its technical education and IITs — in many educational parameters," Sarma stated. Despite 20% of students opting for private schools, the performance of public institutions has been impressive, setting higher standards for quality education.

Over the past five years, Gunotsav has played a crucial role in transforming Assam's educational landscape. The number of schools achieving an ‘A’ grade has doubled, reflecting the government’s unwavering focus on improving learning outcomes. Today, 26,000 schools across the state maintain high educational standards, while the number of lower-graded schools continues to decline. "The future of public education in Assam is bright, and our schools are setting new benchmarks,” the Chief Minister said with optimism.

However, the path to educational excellence is not without challenges. The performance of West Karbi Anglong, Karbi Anglong, and Chirang districts remains a matter of concern. In response, the Chief Minister instructed the education department to investigate the root causes behind the lag and implement corrective measures to ensure no district is left behind.

Another pressing issue highlighted was the alarming number of single-teacher schools. With more than 2,000 schools operating with just one teacher, remote and hard-to-reach areas continue to suffer due to educators’ reluctance to serve there. Frequent complaints from Goalpara, Dhubri, and South Salmara reflect the ongoing crisis of teacher shortages in difficult regions.

To tackle this challenge, the government is set to introduce a special recruitment policy for over 3,000 remote schools. Teachers appointed under this policy will not be subject to transfers, ensuring continuity and stability in these institutions. "This will ensure that no school in Assam is left with just one teacher," the Chief Minister emphasized, highlighting the importance of dedicated staffing.

Major reforms in teacher policies are also on the horizon. Newly appointed teachers will undergo a two-year provisional period to help them acquire the necessary skills to engage effectively with students. "Many teachers struggle to communicate with students after joining the job. This step will enhance teaching quality," Sarma said.

Additionally, head teacher appointments will now be based on seniority to promote fairness and equality in the education system. The Chief Minister also called for the formation of an education commission comprising eminent scholars to guide future policies and sustain the momentum of educational growth.

Due to the upcoming elections, Gunotsav 2026 has been rescheduled from its usual January-February timeline to mid-2026. This change aims to ensure that the education reform initiative continues to receive undivided attention.