HT Correspondent
GOSSAIGAON, Dec 30: Residents of Gossaigaon have appealed to the State government and Education Department to extend the service tenure of Badal Chandra Dey, Headmaster of Netaji Higher English School, by two years, citing his exceptional contribution to education. There is also a demand to honour him with a prestigious Teacher’s Award in recognition of his lifelong dedication to society.
Established in 1995 at Gossaigaon No 2 under Gossaigaon sub-division of Kokrajhar district, Netaji Higher English School is an Assamese- and Bengali-medium institution that has grown steadily over the years. Locals attribute much of this progress to the tireless efforts, vision and commitment of Headmaster Dey and his colleagues. The school currently has an enrolment of 419 students.
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Dey’s contribution was particularly significant during the turbulent years of ethnic violence between the Bodo and Adivasi communities in 1996 and 1998, when education was severely disrupted due to fear, displacement and use of school buildings as shelters. Despite these challenges, Dey and his colleagues took extraordinary initiatives to ensure continuity in education, even spending from their own pockets to support poor Adivasi children. The teachers visited numerous villages, including Gossaigaon No 2, Babubil, Guwabari, Thuribari, Kadamguri, Dhaoliguri, Bhodayaguri, Kanupara, Gaburchand, Barjabil, Daikhorguri, Habruvil, Telipara, Matiyajuri, Rangapara, Kamarpara, Padmapukhuri, Basbari, Ghughujhora, Satyapur, Borbil, Mohanpur, Mohanboihar, Sukan Baonai, Alokjhar, Oxiguri, Madati, Hansbil, Samaijhora, Daolaguri, Hespes and several others.
By engaging with village elders and guardians, they successfully motivated parents from Adivasi, Bodo and other communities to enrol their children in school. Many students from these villages continue their education at Netaji Higher English School in both Assamese and Bengali mediums.
The school has since been provincialised, with improved infrastructure including school buildings, an assembly hall and staff rooms. Students now have opportunities in academics, sports and co-curricular activities. The school’s matriculation results have been consistently satisfactory with student Jahiran Nessa securing a First Division in 2022, scoring 82 in Mathematics and 92 in Social Science.
Dey is also known for his deep engagement with tribal communities, having learned the Santali language to communicate effectively with Adivasi parents, building trust and encouraging greater participation in education. Scheduled to retire in 2026, Badal Chandra Dey has been widely acknowledged as an educationist dedicated to uplifting children from marginalised and displaced backgrounds. Local residents have urged the government to extend his tenure by two years and formally recognise his contribution with a Teacher’s Award.
