The third phase of Gunotsav commenced today in Assam, with 12,374 schools across 10 districts successfully conducting self-assessments for 9,81,565 students. The external assessment is set to begin tomorrow, with authorities urging all stakeholders to ensure a smooth and efficient execution following prescribed guidelines.
Gunotsav, a state-wide education quality assessment initiative, aims to systematically evaluate and enhance learning outcomes in government and provincialized schools. Through structured assessments, the program identifies gaps and implements targeted improvements to strengthen Assam’s education system.
However, the initiative has faced challenges. In January 2024, a protest erupted at Jaruarchar Public High School in Dhubri district, where over 1,200 students demonstrated against the alleged mismanagement of the Gunotsav examination. Students demanded intervention from Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, calling for action against the headmaster, Ayub Ali, citing negligence and irregularities.
The protest stemmed from inadequate seating arrangements, where six students were forced to share a single bench during the examination. Further escalating tensions, the headmaster was reportedly absent on this crucial day, and the exam, scheduled for 9:00 AM, was delayed by over an hour, finally starting at 10:20 AM.
Despite these setbacks, the Assam government remains committed to improving education quality through Gunotsav, ensuring accountability, infrastructure development, and better learning conditions in schools across the state.