Assam Merges Over 2,900 Government Schools in 5 Years

In a significant move for the education sector, over 2,900 government schools in Assam have been merged with nearby institutions over the past five years. This initiative aims to optimize resource utilization and improve educational access.

Union Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary, provided this update in response to inquiries in Lok Sabha about the status of government primary and secondary schools in Assam.

According to the minister, out of the total merged schools, 2,774 were elementary, while 206 were secondary schools. Notably, no government or provincialized schools have been closed in the state.

The merging of schools is part of the Shiksha Khetra Scheme, which targets schools with low enrollment or those located on the same campus. This strategy aims to create a single, efficient administrative and academic unit in compliance with the Right to Education Act, 2009.

Chaudhary emphasized that this rationalization process adheres to distance norms, ensuring optimal use of teaching resources and reducing dropout rates. Importantly, no students have been deprived of education due to these mergers, as all schools remain accessible within their respective areas, in line with RTE guidelines.