Safeguard Primary Education: ASPTA Raises Alarm Over State of Government Schools in Assam

 The Assam State Primary Teachers’ Association (ASPTA) has called for urgent measures to safeguard primary education in the state, warning that government-run primary schools are facing systematic neglect that could weaken the very foundation of public education. The association expressed concern over declining enrolment, closure and merger of schools, shortage of teachers, and the increasing burden of non-academic duties imposed on primary school teachers.
In a statement, ASPTA said that frequent deployment of teachers for administrative surveys, election-related work, and other government assignments is severely affecting classroom teaching. According to the association, primary teachers are being diverted from their core responsibility—educating young children—leading to learning gaps and reduced quality of education, particularly in rural and remote areas.
ASPTA also voiced strong opposition to the closure of government primary schools on the basis of low enrolment, arguing that such decisions ignore ground realities like migration, poverty, and lack of basic infrastructure. “Instead of strengthening these schools with better facilities and adequate teachers, shutting them down pushes children out of the public education system and forces parents to depend on private institutions,” the association stated.
Highlighting staff shortages, ASPTA pointed out that several primary schools in Assam continue to function with a single teacher or without regular headmasters, adversely affecting academic planning and school administration. The association reiterated its long-standing demand for timely recruitment, restoration of withdrawn grade pay, and improvement of service conditions to ensure teacher morale and stability in the system.
Calling primary education the backbone of society, ASPTA urged the state government to treat the issue as a policy priority. It appealed for meaningful dialogue with teachers’ bodies, reduction of non-teaching workload, and increased investment in government primary schools to ensure inclusive, accessible, and quality education for all children in Assam.
The association warned that failure to act now could have long-term consequences for the state’s educational outcomes and social equity, stressing that safeguarding primary education is not just a teachers’ demand but a collective responsibility.