Government Plans High Schools in Every Panchayat to Boost Grassroots Education

In a significant move aimed at improving access to quality education in Assam’s rural areas, Education Minister Ranoj Pegu announced on Sunday that the state government is planning to establish higher secondary schools in every gram panchayat. Addressing an election rally in Gogamukh, Bordoloni, Dr. Pegu emphasized the growing need to extend school education beyond Class 10, acknowledging that the absence of higher secondary schools in remote areas often forces students to travel long distances for their education.

The proposed initiative will enable students from rural areas to pursue their education locally, without the need for long and often difficult commutes to far-off towns and cities. The new higher secondary schools will offer students a choice of streams, including Science, Commerce, and Arts, providing them with the opportunity to continue their education without the disruption of relocating. The minister pointed to Bhebeli panchayat as a prime example, where students currently have to travel to either Gogamukh or Bordoloni for their higher secondary education due to the lack of such facilities in their immediate vicinity.

Dr. Pegu stressed that the primary goal of this initiative is to ensure that all students, regardless of their location, have access to quality education in a convenient and accessible manner. “We are prioritizing education, and we are working on a plan to open higher secondary schools in each gram panchayat of the state,” he said. The new schools will not only improve access to education but will also reduce the financial and logistical burdens on families who would otherwise have to send their children to distant areas for further studies.

This initiative comes at a time when the Education Department in Assam has faced growing criticism over various issues, including allegations of question paper leaks and the declining performance of students in public examinations. In March, the state government was forced to cancel this year’s Higher Secondary (HS) exams after a question paper leak, which led to widespread public discontent. The Assam State School Education Board (ASSEB) also came under fire for its handling of the situation. Furthermore, the recent results of the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) exams, where the state recorded a pass percentage of just 63.98%, have added to the concerns. This is the lowest pass percentage in the past three years, significantly lower than the 72.69% in 2023 and 75.7% in 2024.

The government’s renewed focus on strengthening the education system comes in response to these challenges. The proposal to set up higher secondary schools in every gram panchayat is seen as a step toward addressing some of these issues, particularly the disparity in access to quality education between rural and urban areas. By bringing educational facilities closer to students, the government hopes to not only improve enrollment rates but also reduce dropout rates, which have been a concern in many remote parts of the state.

Dr. Pegu’s announcement reflects the government’s determination to improve the quality of education in Assam, especially in rural areas, and to ensure that every student has an equal opportunity to succeed academically. With the new initiative, the state aims to create an education system that is more inclusive and better equipped to meet the needs of all students, regardless of their geographic location.