Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu on Thursday, July 23, 2026, defended the state government’s school amalgamation policy and provided a comprehensive update on the provincialisation of 7,380 schools and over 15,000 teachers under the Assam Education (Provincialisation of Services of Teachers and Re-organisation of Educational Institutions) Act, 2017, during the Budget Session of the Assam Legislative Assembly.

The minister’s statement addressed persistent concerns regarding the merger of educational institutions and the long-pending demand for regularisation of services for teachers in venture schools. The provincialisation process aims to integrate these teachers into the state government structure, providing them with full salary scales and associated benefits, while the amalgamation policy seeks to rationalise educational infrastructure and improve resource utilisation across the state.

What was announced

During Question Hour in the Assam Legislative Assembly, Education Minister Ranoj Pegu informed the House that the government had provincialised over 4,300 schools and 15,000 teachers. He specified that 3,805 Lower Primary (LP) and Middle English (ME) schools had been provincialised under the 2017 Act, benefiting 9,855 teachers, subject to their acquisition of professional qualifications mandated by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). Additionally, 511 Higher Secondary and Senior Secondary schools, along with the services of 5,346 teachers, have also been provincialised.

Pegu also defended the government’s school merger policy, stating that approximately 7,380 schools were amalgamated between 2016 and 2026. He clarified that 2,639 of these mergers occurred during 2017-18, with nearly 1,000 more between 2021 and 2026. The minister emphasised that the objective behind these mergers was to rationalise educational infrastructure rather than to shut down institutions.

Why it matters

The provincialisation of teachers’ services is a critical development for thousands of educators who previously worked in venture schools, ensuring they receive government employee benefits, including full salary scales, dearness allowance, medical allowances, gratuity, and pension under the New Pension Scheme. This move provides much-needed financial security and recognition for their years of service.

The school amalgamation policy, while contentious, is presented by the government as a measure to optimise resources and improve the overall educational environment. By merging schools with low enrolment, particularly those with fewer than 30 students, the government aims to address issues like single-teacher schools and inefficient resource allocation, aligning with the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, norms for school proximity. This rationalisation is intended to strengthen the public education system and enhance academic delivery.

Background

The policy of school mergers in Assam dates back to at least 2017, with data indicating that 5,953 schools were merged between 2017 and 2021. The state government’s efforts to reform the education sector gained momentum following the enactment of the Assam Non-Government Educational Institutions Act, 2006, which made the establishment of new ‘venture schools’ legally untenable.

Prior to the 2017 Act, attempts to provincialise schools through a 2011 law were struck down by the High Court. This legal setback led to the formulation and implementation of the Assam Education (Provincialisation of Services of Teachers and Re-organisation of Educational Institutions) Act, 2017, which laid the framework for large-scale provincialisation. Amendments to this Act, including one in 2025, have further streamlined the application process, leading to the launch of an online Provincialisation Management System (PMS) portal.

Historically, Assam’s education system has evolved from indigenous learning systems like satras and gurukuls to the introduction of Western education by the British in the 19th century. Post-independence, the state saw the establishment of institutions like Gauhati University in 1948 and efforts to expand primary and secondary education. However, challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, teacher shortages, and disparities in access have persisted, prompting ongoing reforms.

Key details

Minister Pegu stated that the government received applications from 3,709 schools, 52 colleges, 125 degree college streams, and 23,420 teachers seeking provincialisation, with these applications currently under verification. He noted that the provincialisation process is almost 99 per cent complete for applications received under the 2017 Act and its 2018 amendment.

The eligibility criteria for provincialisation generally require venture educational institutions to have been established before January 1, 2006, and their names to appear in the Unified District Information System for Education (DISE) code by 2009-10. Teachers whose services are provincialised under the 2017 Act are entitled to the full scale of pay and emoluments applicable to state government employees of corresponding ranks from the date of provincialisation. However, they cannot claim benefits for past services rendered before provincialisation, and their pensions are governed by the New Pension Scheme.

Regarding school mergers, Pegu reiterated that the policy targets schools with fewer than 30 students to enhance resource utilisation. The government has merged the Elementary and Secondary Education departments into a single entity to simplify administrative procedures for teachers.

Reactions

The school amalgamation policy has drawn criticism from various quarters. Activists and education experts have expressed concerns that the mergers could negatively impact the quality of education and potentially lead to an increase in dropout rates. The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) has opposed the mergers, highlighting the public’s emotional attachment to many schools built with local donations and funds.

Critics argue that government neglect is a primary reason for the poor condition of some schools and low enrolment figures. Concerns have also been raised about students having to cover longer distances to new schools, adapting to unfamiliar environments, and teachers facing adjustment challenges, including potential delays in salary payments.

During the Budget Session, opposition members, including those from the Congress, AIUDF, and TMC, raised concerns about the amalgamation policy, teacher-pupil ratios, high dropout rates, and low enrolment in government schools. Education Minister Pegu, however, defended the government’s actions, stating they are in accordance with the RTE Act, 2009. He also acknowledged a decline in enrolment in government schools from Class one to five, attributing it to parents opting for private institutions due to increased financial affluence, while also noting that around 10,000 students have transitioned from private to government schools. Following Pegu’s assurances, the opposition withdrew a cut motion on the education budget.

What’s next

The Assam government has offered legislators a one-year period to improve student enrolment in schools currently having fewer than 30 students. If enrolment figures do not rise above this threshold within the stipulated time, the government will proceed with further amalgamation of these institutions.

The recruitment of Lower Primary (LP) teachers remains on hold pending the resolution of ongoing cases before the Gauhati High Court. The government is actively contesting these cases, with recruitment expected to resume once legal issues are settled. Furthermore, the government is in the process of preparing a common unified management rule to streamline administrative procedures for teachers following the merger of the Elementary and Secondary Education departments. The state also plans to establish 500 more new schools over the next five years.

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