Concerns Rise Over Government School Closures in Assam
Deteriorating Conditions in Assam's Government Schools
A file image of a classroom in Assam. (Picture used for representational purpose)
TEZPUR, July 20: The alarming state of government schools in Assam has raised serious concerns, particularly regarding the substandard uniforms provided to students, delays in distributing Bodo medium textbooks, and the closure of numerous institutions.
A recent report highlights the troubling trend of shutting down and merging government-run elementary and secondary schools, especially in Sonitpur district, where many schools have already been closed or are slated for closure.
Official sources indicate that approximately 214 schools, including three historic institutions—Swahid Ratan Kachari LP School, Swahid Mangal Kurku LP School, and Swahid Sarunath Chutia LP School—are set to be closed as per a notification from the State’s director of elementary education dated June 10. This is part of a phased closure plan directed by the education department.
Some cluster-level officials and representatives from the DEEO office, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed concern over this trend, especially when there is a pressing need to enhance educational access, improve infrastructure, and ensure adequate teacher availability in schools lacking resources.
The report also reveals that by December 2025, over 3,000 government schools, comprising 2,774 elementary and 206 secondary schools, have been merged with nearby institutions over the past five years, indicating a worrying decline in government vernacular medium schools (both Bodo and Assamese) in the State.
In light of this situation, the new list of 214 schools in Sonitpur district has been circulated for potential merger or amalgamation with other schools. This list includes several schools established decades ago in honor of martyrs from the 1942 Quit India Movement. For instance, Swahid Sarunath Chutia LP School was founded in 1977 in Kawoimari to commemorate a martyr who was shot by British police while hoisting the Tricolour on September 20, 1942.
Upon learning about the merger plans, local residents and members of the school management committee have submitted a petition to the Sonitpur district commissioner, opposing the closure of the historic school, which reportedly has sufficient enrollment based on the Pupil Teacher Ratio (PTR).
Debanjan Pathak, president of the Sonitpur district AASU unit, voiced his discontent with the government's ongoing school merger initiative. He argued that while the government claims the mergers aim to optimize teacher deployment and reduce dropout rates, it appears to be a strategy to dismantle the government-funded education system.
“Rather than merging these schools, the government should focus on hiring enough teachers for government LP and UP schools and improving basic infrastructure to attract parents to vernacular medium schools, which would promote the development of Assamese and local tribal languages,” Pathak stated.
He further noted that some of the already closed schools are now either abandoned or being misused by influential individuals for personal gain.
Despite public opposition regarding the closure of historic schools like Swahid Sarunath Chutia LP School and Swahid Ratan Kachari LP School, the government remains resolute, asserting that access to education has improved, with the Gross Access Ratio (GAR) increasing and dropout rates decreasing from 2018-19 to 2024-25.
However, these claims of progress are juxtaposed against reports of numerous government school closures or impending closures across the State.
The issue continues to spark discussions among policymakers and civil society, focusing on how to reconcile administrative efficiency with the constitutional obligation to provide universal, equitable, and accessible education for all children.