Class 9 Assam students can study maths & science in English

Guwahati: Assam State School Education Board (ASSEB) has introduced a hybrid language policy, allowing Class IX students to study general mathematics and general science in English, while keeping their other subjects in a vernacular language, board officials said on Tuesday.“One woman was publicly insulted, harassed and interrogated during her journey, which is completely unacceptable. Questioning someone over personal belongings inside a train violates human dignity and privacy,” a social media user wrote while reacting to the viral clips.The user who posted the video online said Madhumita caused severe mental distress to the woman, adding that seeking social media attention could never justify humiliating another individual.Several residents expressed concern over passenger safety, stating that if such incidents are not properly investigated, commuters — especially women — may feel increasingly unsafe while travelling in public transport.No official statement had been issued by the police regarding the allegations till the filing of this report.This initiative is in line with the National Education Policy. A senior official of the board said the same dual-medium option will be extended to this batch of Class IX students when they step up to Class X in the next academic session and it will continue for both Class IX and X in future.ASSEB officials said it will help students understand English-medium instruction and write in English ahead of pursuing higher studies in science and mathematics. This has brought relaxation to the “one student-one medium” policy of the board.“Assamese or other vernacular medium students can also write the answers of general mathematics and general science papers in English. This will help as terminologies of these two subjects are universal and students prefer English while pursuing higher education in these two subjects,” said a senior official of ASSEB. In state’s degree colleges, even students who matriculate from vernacular medium schools prefer to write science subjects in English.ASSEB in a notification said, “There is no bar for students of Class IX to study general maths and general science in English medium, even if he/she is studying the remaining subjects in another medium, provided the school has the facility to teach these two subjects in English medium.”As the registration process of Class IX is almost complete for the academic session 2026-27, ASSEB, in its notification, said no change is required in the registration process or in the registration card of such students of other medium who opt to study these two subjects in English medium.“The mention of any medium for a student during registration of Class IX will not be a problem in the future. When such students become eligible to appear for the HSLC examination, their subject-wise medium will be captured for proper evaluation of the answer script,” ASSEB added.