The high schools will now start functioning in the teal belt of Assam. The Assam government in 2020
had established the State-Owned Priority Development fund to set up 119 model high schools in
strategically-located tea estates. The State PWD was entrusted with constructing the high schools.
The worker engaged in tea plantation has been ailing for the last couple of decades and had
requested the government to take over education and other “social costs” for the industry to
survive. The state government responded to their request by first planning to set up 119 model high
schools.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “This is for the first time in 75 years of India’s
Independence that high schools have been set up in the tea garden areas. The academic session for
97 schools completed so far will start this year. The remaining 22 model high schools in tea gardens
will be made functional from the next academic year.” CM also said the government has also decided
to provide breakfast along with midday meals to students of these schools.
