Kokrajhar, Jan. 12: With a view to spreading education among the people of the community, the influential All Bodo Students? Union (Absu) has declared 2006 as the Year of Education.

Talking to The Telegraph, Absu president Rwngwra Narzary said the organisation has lined up various programmes to be undertaken throughout the year.

?We have declared 2006 as the Year of Education. Awareness campaigns on the importance of education, against superstitions and other developmental activities will form part of the yearlong programmes,? said Narzary.

?During the Bodoland agitation, education unfortunately took a backseat. Because of a lack of proper education social responsibility, too, has fallen in the Bodo society. It is time we rebuilt a strong society,? the Absu president said.

?It is the youth who are the future of any society and, therefore, we need to guide them in the right direction to build a strong and healthy society. Now that there is peace and development taking place in the region, it is imperative that we create an educated society to carry forward the development and enjoy its fruits.?

The student leader continued: ?Corruption has emerged a major bane in today?s world. To check corruption we need to be aware of our rights and our surroundings. This can be achieved only through education.?

He added that since a large segment of the Bodo populace lived in remote areas with little access to the outside world, most students of Bodo medium schools and their guardians had little knowledge of modern career opportunities and prospects. Therefore, the Absu will undertake career counselling, seminars and other related activities throughout the state.

Though some programmes have already begun in many areas, the campaign will begin in earnest from February. It will target guardians, teachers and students.

?Though our primary targets are the students, the awareness campaigns will be held among guardians as well. The teachers will be included in the campaign to motivate them. Teachers have a high degree of social responsibility towards the children and we need to motive them. We are also targeting the youth,? the student leader said.

?With funds for development works pouring in these days, many of our youth are looking to make a quick buck. We need to change their attitude to hard work,? he added.

A five-member Absu team, including vice-president Promod Boro and education secretary Dipen Boro, are currently visiting Hyderabad to study an education project of an NGO and develop a model suitable for the Bodos.