In a significant move to improve the infrastructure of rural educational institutions, the Assam government has announced plans to construct new buildings for 252 state-run schools, with an estimated expenditure of over Rs 1,800 crore.
Mamata Hojai, Director of Secondary Education, confirmed that the selected schools are spread across all 126 assembly constituencies. The initiative follows budget announcements made last year.
“We are upgrading the infrastructure of these schools as part of a project under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF). The schools have been chosen based on suggestions from the respective MLAs,” said Hojai.
She further stated that construction work has already commenced at most of the schools, with completion expected by next year.
Regarding the cost, Hojai clarified, “The construction cost for each school will be Rs 7 crore to Rs 8 crore, totalling Rs 1,827 crore.”
In the state’s 2024-25 budget, Finance Minister Ajanta Neog had pledged to improve school infrastructure, revealing plans to renovate 322 schools with a total outlay of Rs 2,369.86 crore.
Hojai, however, refrained from commenting on whether the upgraded schools would retain their vernacular medium or incorporate dual-medium instruction, including English, after the revamp.
“The government will decide in due course,” she noted.
Among the schools covered under the scheme are Patacharkuchi Vidyapith in Bajali, Earle HS School in Cachar, Graham Bazar Girls’ High School in Dibrugarh, Maibong Sr Secondary School in Dima Hasao, Devicharan Barua Girls’ High School in Jorhat, Natun Fatasil Town High School in Guwahati, and Nalbari Girls’ High School.
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