Guwahati, Nov. 28: The Board of Secondary Education, Assam, (Seba) today expressed reservations on the government’s decision to change the academic year from January-December to April-March, thus prolonging the impasse on this issue.

At its board meeting held here today, Seba decided to request the government to review its decision on the change in academic calendar in view of the socio-economic conditions prevailing in the state, a source said. The meeting was attended by the chairman and secretary of the board.

A senior official of Seba who was present at the meeting said members of the board want the academic calendar to start from January so that there is enough time to finish the syllabus. According to the board, a January-December academic calendar would ensure at least four months of regular classes till April. As it is, floods, countless bandhs and a large number of holidays take their toll on the academic environment in the state.

“In fact the month of April itself starts with a string of holidays, making a mockery of the academic session right at the start,” a Seba source said.

Members present at the meeting said after April, summer vacations follow in July and then come floods, leaving hardly any time even for starting the classes. A senior official said students hardly come to the classes after the unit tests in October-November, leaving no time to finish the syllabus.

Sources said the government’s decision to have the academic session from April is in line with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) norm of starting the academic calendar from April.

“One should also look into the realities of the socio-economic set-up here which are vastly different from the rest of the country,” a source added. Officials said proper implementation of the academic calendar would also lead to healthy educational environment.

The government and the education board have been at loggerheads over the issue with both sides sticking to their point of views. However, a source in the Sebi said, “We are open to discussions with the government for the overall betterment of the student community in the state”.

Dimasa demand

The All-Dimasa Students’ Union (ADSU) and the Dimaraji Revival Demand Committee (DRDC) have submitted a memorandum to deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, demanding a solution to the community’s long-standing demands, reports our correspondent from New Delhi. The memorandum was submitted through special secretary of home ministry, R.C. Jain.

Jain told the Dimasa delegates that the government was examining all issues and was willing to end the ongoing violence in the areas inhabited by the community in Assam.

The memorandum demanded the creation of a separate state by carving out the territories inhabited by the community in the districts of Cachar, Nagaon, Karbi Anglong in Assam and Dimapur in Nagaland.

“A separate state is the only way out for a peaceful and justified solution to the problems of the Dimasas in the Northeast,” ADSU president Sanmoni Kemprai said. The Dimasas have also demanded a Lok Sabha MP from the community living in North Cachar Hills and recognition of Barmans of Cachar, Hojai Kachari of Nagaon, Raukhini Barmans of Karimganj, and Kacharis of Dimapur as Dimasas.