New initiative under Samagra Shiksha aims to improve school attendance by providing transport and escort facilities to students across 198 schools in 11 districts
Guwahati: In a major push to improve access to education in tea garden communities, the Assam government has rolled out a Transport and Escort Facility for Students under Samagra Shiksha Assam, benefiting thousands of children facing daily commuting challenges.
The programme, which comes into effect on June 10, 2026, is designed to support students from Classes I to X belonging to economically disadvantaged and marginalised families living in tea garden areas.
According to official figures, the initiative will cover 9,714 students across 198 schools in 11 districts. The scheme will remain operational until March 31, 2027, excluding July 2026.
To ensure smooth implementation, the government has allocated Rs 5,400 per student for the academic year. Local transport and escort arrangements will be managed through School Management Committees (SMCs) and School Management and Development Committees (SMDCs).
Officials said the initiative seeks to address transportation barriers that often affect attendance and increase the risk of school dropouts in remote tea garden regions. “The objective is to ensure that no child is deprived of education because of difficulties in reaching school,” the programme note stated.
Education department officials believe the scheme will significantly improve regular attendance while creating a safer and more supportive learning environment for children in some of Assam’s most underserved communities.
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