Guwahati, June 5 (IANS) The Assam Cabinet on Friday approved a policy enabling Grade-IV employees working in government schools to secure promotions to Grade-III posts, a move aimed at creating greater career advancement opportunities for non-teaching staff in the education sector.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the decision while addressing reporters after a Cabinet meeting.

Sarma said that although provisions already existed for the promotion of Grade-IV employees to Grade-III positions, the government had not previously established a comprehensive framework governing the process.

“The Education Department already had a provision under which Grade-IV employees could be promoted to Grade-III posts. However, the detailed rules and procedures had not been formally framed. The Cabinet has now approved the necessary regulations to operationalise the promotion process,” the Chief Minister said.

According to Sarma, the decision will benefit a large number of employees serving in government schools across the state by providing them with a structured pathway for career progression.

The move is expected to boost employee morale and address long-pending demands from school support staff seeking opportunities for advancement within the Education Department.

Officials said the newly approved rules would lay down the eligibility criteria, promotion procedures and other service-related conditions required for Grade-IV employees to move to Grade-III positions.

The Cabinet decision forms part of the state government’s broader efforts to strengthen administrative efficiency and improve service conditions for government employees.

Education sector reforms have remained a key focus area for the Assam government in recent years, with initiatives ranging from infrastructure development and teacher recruitment to improvements in governance and human resource management.

The latest decision is also expected to help fill certain Grade-III vacancies through internal promotions, allowing experienced employees already working within the school system to take on higher responsibilities.

Sarma said the Cabinet’s deliberations on Friday included several measures relating to employee welfare and administrative reforms, with the promotion policy for school staff emerging as one of the important decisions taken during the meeting.

The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the new framework would ensure a transparent and streamlined promotion mechanism while recognising the contributions of Grade-IV employees who have served the Education Department for years.

–IANS

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