Assam govt. cracks down on insurance agents among school teachers

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had attributed the poor Class 10 results of State-run schools partly to such teachers.

The Assam government has begun cracking down on school teachers who spend more time selling insurance policies and other financial schemes.

The action follows the “pathetically dismal” performance of the State-run schools in the Class 10 examinations, the results of which were declared on June 7. The total pass percentage was 56.49%, a sharp drop from the 93.10% in 2021 when the examinations were not held owing to COVID-19.

The State government’s attention was particularly to 25 schools where “zero per cent” students succeeded and 77 others where the pass percentage was 10% or less.  

“A section of teachers is serving as LIC agents in the name of teaching. Selling insurance policies instead of teaching is reflecting on the results of the schools,” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

“Of course, there are many teachers who discharge their duties sincerely. Otherwise, almost 60% students would not have succeeded,” he added.

The State’s Secondary Education Department in May started receiving allegations that many teachers were engaged as LIC agents.

“…you are requested to immediately fix a hearing and proceed as per the procedures of the Disciplinary Rules in force and submit the steps taken to the department by next 15 days,” a May 12 letter from S.N. Choudhury, the Secondary Education secretary to the department’s director, said.