Over 2,900 Assam schools merged under Shiksha Khetra Scheme to optimize resources

The Union government has informed Parliament that Assam has merged more than 2,900 government schools with nearby institutions over the past five years as part of an effort to streamline resources and improve efficiency.

Union Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary, in a written reply, said that 2,774 elementary schools and 206 secondary schools were brought together through mergers or amalgamations during this period.

He clarified that the state has not closed any government or provincialized primary, middle, high, or higher secondary schools.

According to the minister, the restructuring was carried out under the Shiksha Khetra Scheme in situations involving low enrollment, multiple schools operating on the same campus, or the need to consolidate infrastructure and staff under a single administrative and academic framework.

These steps, he noted, were taken in accordance with the guidelines of the Right to Education Act, 2009.

“The rationalization ensures optimal use of teachers and infrastructure while also helping reduce student dropouts. Importantly, no student has been deprived of education, and schooling remains accessible within prescribed distance norms,” the minister added.

Officials say the move highlights Assam’s push to make better use of existing educational resources while maintaining uninterrupted access to schooling for children across the state.