Assam Government Introduces Free Transport for Tea Garden Students

In a significant move to enhance educational access, the Assam government has introduced a free transport service for students in tea garden areas. This initiative aims to reduce dropout rates and ensure that children from marginalized communities can attend school regularly. With support for nearly 10,000 students across multiple districts, the program is part of a broader effort to improve educational infrastructure and opportunities for tea garden workers and their families. The initiative is expected to operate for the academic year, providing essential transport support to facilitate learning.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 10, 2026, 13:06 IST

New Initiative to Support Education in Tea Garden Areas

Students at a tea-garden school located in Sivasagar (Photo: @USAID_Saksham/X)

Guwahati, June 10: In an effort to tackle the issue of school dropouts in tea garden communities, the Assam government has initiated a free transportation service for students residing in these areas.

Assam's Education Minister Ranoj Pegu announced this initiative via social media, stating that it is part of the Samagra Shiksha Assam program, which aims to enhance school attendance for students in Classes I to X within tea garden regions.

Pegu emphasized that this initiative is designed to ensure that no child is unable to attend school due to transportation issues. He remarked, "The program will provide safe and free transport services to students from marginalized communities living in tea gardens, thereby improving their school attendance rates."

The minister noted that the program is set to benefit 9,714 students across 198 schools in 11 districts.

"The service will be operational from June 10, 2026, until March 31, 2027, with a break in July 2026 for summer vacation," he added.

Each student will receive transport support amounting to Rs 5,400 for the academic year, with local transport arrangements overseen by School Management Committees (SMCs) and School Management and Development Committees (SMDCs).

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma praised the initiative, calling it a crucial step for children in tea garden communities.

"This initiative is vital for our children in tea gardens. The transport service will eliminate barriers to their education. It represents a significant effort in addition to existing programs," the Chief Minister stated on social media.

This new measure aligns with the NDA government's commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for tea garden communities.

Following the electoral success of the alliance, Sarma reiterated the government's focus on the welfare of tea garden workers and their families, along with plans to improve educational infrastructure in these regions.

He highlighted that between 2021 and 2026, 118 model high schools were established in tea garden areas, with intentions to create 100 more schools from 2026 to 2031.

Earlier this year, the Assam government also introduced the 'Eti Koli, Duti Paat' scheme aimed at supporting tea garden workers, which includes a strong educational component alongside financial assistance.