Thousands of vacancies, basic amenities missing across Assam’s rural schools

A large number of government schools in Assam continue to run without essential facilities, with new data presented in the state assembly showing that institutions in char and rural belts are among the worst hit.

The education department said that hundreds of schools still do not have access to drinking water or usable toilets, while thousands of teaching positions remain vacant across key levels.

Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, replying to a question from Congress MLA Wajed Ali Choudhury, said that 1,391 Lower Primary and Middle English schools are operating without functional drinking water or toilet facilities.

Many of these schools serve children from remote and marginalized communities.

According to the figures shared in the House, 347 schools have no drinking water at all, and 809 do not have toilets.

Another 134 schools have drinking water systems that do not work, and toilets are non-functional in 101 schools.

Pegu said departments are trying to restore or install the required facilities.

The minister also reported that Assam’s government schools face a severe shortfall of staff, with 27,936 teacher posts vacant in char and rural areas.

Middle English schools have the highest number of unfilled positions at 12,382. Lower Primary schools have 8,251 vacancies, and Upper Primary institutions have 7,303.

Pegu said recruitment is progressing in phases, including the hiring of 4,500 LP teachers for general areas, where document verification has started.

The Directorate of Secondary Education has also completed the process to appoint 9,717 teachers.

Despite these steps, the scale of shortages and the lack of basic services remain major concerns for the education system, especially in regions where students already struggle with limited access to schooling.