Proposal for inclusion of topics on North East should come from states: Smriti Irani

Union HRD minister Smriti Irani today said that the proposal for inclusion of topics on the Northeast in NCERT course should come from the state governments and people of the region.

Responding to a question at the IIT-Guwahati convocation, Irani said, "Under the national education policy, we connect more with the state governments. During my discussion with Assam education minister Sarat Barkotoky and education secretary I told them proposals should come from the state." "I also request the people of the Northeast region and the country to send their proposal on it to the central and state governments," she said.

On Borkotoky's request that the Centre help train teachers in science and maths, the HRD Minister said, "we have decided that the IIT-Guwahati will do a project specially in collaboration with the NCERT and School board in Assam to train 10,000 teachers. Saratji has assured that his government will sign an MoU with IIT-G."

On complaints about school teachers in the centrally sponsored schemes in Assam not receiving their salaries, she said, "For those left unpaid, I have recommended a district- wise list to be prepared and pay those who have complained.

They will have no complaint after the Government of Assam reaches out to them."