Assam’s school education sector faces challenges due to a severe lack of teachers and decreasing student numbers. Around 25,000 educational institutions in the state have applied for government recognition, underscoring the hurdles before the Education Department.
In the Assam Legislative Assembly, it was revealed that many schools in the state operate with insufficient staff, and numerous institutions are seeking official acknowledgment and financial aid. Official data disclosed in the Assembly indicated that each of the 32,321 schools has less than 30 students, signaling a consistent drop in enrolment in various regions.
The Education Department highlighted that there are 60,032 vacant teaching positions in schools, impacting education quality and burdening existing teachers. Additionally, 7,948 schools reportedly do not meet the required student-teacher ratio, raising concerns about adherence to educational standards and effective classroom teaching implementation.
Despite these obstacles, the government has received applications from nearly 25,000 educational institutions seeking official recognition. Education Minister Ranoj Pegu informed the Assembly that various schools, including primary and secondary ones, have applied for government acknowledgment through the online portal.
According to the data presented, lower primary, upper primary, high schools, and senior secondary schools have applied for official recognition. The Minister assured that the applications are being reviewed as per the Assam Education Act and relevant regulations. Recruitment of teachers and principals in government schools is also ongoing in compliance with legal directives and the state’s recruitment policy.
The opposition expressed concerns about the increasing number of schools with low enrolment and the high teacher vacancies, emphasizing the challenges in enhancing learning outcomes in government schools. The government, however, stated that efforts are underway to optimize resources, fill vacant positions, and enhance the school education system in Assam.
