Assam Government Announces 80 More Model Schools in Tea Garden Areas to Transform Education

The Assam Government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has unveiled an ambitious plan to open 80 more model schools in tea garden areas, further strengthening the State’s commitment to improving educational access and quality for children in these underserved regions.

Speaking to headmasters of Tea Garden Model Schools and Adarsha Vidyalayas in Guwahati on Thursday, 10 July 2025, the Chief Minister emphasised that the government’s broader vision is to bring about qualitative changes in the academic landscape of Assam’s tea garden areas. The initiative is part of a grand plan to set up 200 model schools across 800 tea estates.

Why Focus on Tea Garden Areas?

Assam’s tea gardens are not just iconic symbols of its heritage but also home to lakhs of workers and their families. Historically, these communities have faced systemic educational deprivation. Poor infrastructure, low literacy rates, high dropout rates, and limited access to quality schooling have been persistent challenges.

By investing in model schools in these regions, the Assam Government is directly addressing generational educational inequality and laying the groundwork for long-term social and economic upliftment.

Details of the Initiative

Chief Minister Sarma announced that the government will open 80 new model schools, in addition to those already operational or planned. The overall target remains at 200 model schools to cover 800 tea estates.

This initiative is more than just building schools. It includes comprehensive educational reforms, such as:

• Mid-day meal schemes extended to Classes IX and X: Traditionally, mid-day meals have been a key driver for improving attendance and nutrition at the primary level. Extending this to higher classes will help address dropout rates among older students.

• Smart classroom facilities: Technology-enabled classrooms will be introduced to bridge the digital divide, improve learning outcomes, and make education more engaging and relevant.

These measures are expected to transform not just access but also the quality of education available to students in these regions.

Chief Minister’s Vision

Addressing the gathering in Guwahati, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma underlined that the government’s mission is to bring about qualitative changes in education for the tea garden community.

He highlighted that the tea garden workforce has contributed immensely to Assam’s economy and culture for generations. It is, therefore, the State’s responsibility to ensure their children receive modern, quality education that empowers them for a better future.

Background of Assam’s Tea Gardens

Assam has more than 800 large tea estates and thousands of small tea growers spread across districts like Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Jorhat, Golaghat, and Sonitpur. These estates employ over a million people directly and indirectly.

Despite their economic importance, tea garden communities have historically faced low human development indicators. Poor education has meant limited opportunities for upward mobility, perpetuating cycles of poverty.

Government efforts over the years have included special scholarships, recruitment of teachers, free textbooks, and improved school infrastructure. The model school initiative represents a major step forward, institutionalising quality education within these communities.

What are Model Schools?

Model Schools are designed as high-quality government schools with modern facilities, qualified teachers, and innovative pedagogy. The goal is to provide education on par with private institutions so that children from economically weaker sections do not lag behind.

Key features of these schools include:

• Smart classrooms with digital boards and online learning content

• Well-stocked libraries

• Science laboratories

• Sports infrastructure

• Focus on English, Mathematics, and STEM education

• Strong teacher training and monitoring

By establishing these in tea garden areas, the government is bridging rural-urban disparities in education.

Mid-day Meal Scheme Extension

The mid-day meal scheme has been one of India’s most successful social programmes, boosting enrollment, retention, and nutrition among primary school children.

Extending it to Classes IX and X is significant for several reasons:

• Addresses teenage malnutrition: Adolescents have specific nutritional needs which are often ignored.

• Reduces dropout rates: Many students leave school at this stage to work or due to economic pressure. Mid-day meals reduce the cost burden on families.

• Encourages girls to stay in school: This is especially important in tea garden areas, where girls often drop out early.

Smart Classroom Facilities

Chief Minister Sarma’s plan also emphasises smart classrooms, reflecting the government’s vision of a digitally empowered education system.

Smart classrooms typically feature:

• Interactive whiteboards

• Internet connectivity

• Audio-visual teaching aids

• Access to digital content and online courses

This helps teachers adopt modern pedagogical methods, making learning more interactive and effective. For students in remote tea gardens, it is a gateway to 21st-century skills.

Wider Educational Reforms in Assam

The model school plan is part of Assam’s broader educational reforms under the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 framework, which emphasises:

• Equitable access: Reaching historically marginalised communities.

• Holistic development: Focus on academics, arts, sports, and life skills.

• Multilingual education: Promoting mother tongue along with Assamese and English.

• Teacher training: Enhancing skills and accountability.

Assam has already launched Gunotsav, a state-wide assessment programme to improve learning outcomes, and has worked to recruit thousands of teachers.

Challenges Ahead

While the announcements are ambitious, the real test lies in implementation. Challenges include:

• Recruitment and training of qualified teachers willing to work in remote tea gardens.

• Maintaining infrastructure quality in harsh monsoon conditions.

• Community participation and ownership to ensure sustainability.

• Monitoring learning outcomes consistently to ensure quality.

However, the government appears committed to tackling these, with regular reviews, stakeholder meetings, and policy tweaks as needed.

Political Context

The initiative also has political significance. Tea garden communities represent a sizeable voter base in Assam, especially in Upper Assam districts. Improving their socio-economic conditions is not just a developmental necessity but also a political priority.

By focusing on education, the Assam Government is strengthening its connect with these communities, ensuring long-term goodwill.

Voices from the Ground

Teachers and community leaders have largely welcomed the move:

“Our children will finally get schools as good as in towns. No more need to send them far away,” said a headmaster in Tinsukia.

Parents too see hope in the announcements:

“Education is the only way our children can have a better future. We are happy the government is thinking about us.”

Conclusion: A Path to Transformation

Assam’s plan to set up 80 more model schools in tea garden areas is not just another infrastructure project. It represents a vision for inclusive growth, recognising that educational equality is the foundation for social justice.

If implemented well, this initiative can break cycles of poverty, empower lakhs of students with quality education, and transform the socio-economic fabric of Assam’s tea garden regions for generations to come.

By combining mid-day meal schemes, smart classrooms, and community involvement, Assam is setting an example for targeted, region-specific educational reforms that could inspire other states across India.

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