Guwahati, Jan 13 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, announced on Tuesday that the education reforms implemented by the state government are showing significant results, as the rate of secondary school dropouts has decreased by 42% over the past decade. This change signifies a critical transition from simply constructing infrastructure to enhancing educational capacity on a larger scale.

On the social media platform X, the Chief Minister shared this encouraging statistic, noting that more students in Assam are now enrolled in schools than at any previous time.

“We are not just building infrastructure; we are building capacity at scale. In the last 10 years, we have seen a 42% reduction in secondary school dropouts as an increasing number of students in Assam are now attending school,” Sarma remarked.

He described this achievement as a substantial vindication of the government's education policies but emphasized that the journey is not yet complete.

“This marks a significant victory for our educational strategies, but we will not rest until there are zero dropouts in Assam,” he stated.

Education officials indicated that this decline can be linked to various policy initiatives, including the enhancement of school facilities, teacher recruitment, digital initiatives, scholarships, mid-day meal programs, free textbooks, uniforms, and a concentrated effort on monitoring student attendance, especially at the secondary level.

The Assam government has long prioritized the strengthening of secondary and higher secondary education, particularly in rural and remote regions, where dropout rates have historically been high due to economic challenges, limited access, and migration.

Programs aimed at supporting female students, children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and marginalized communities have also significantly contributed to improved retention.

The Chief Minister has consistently highlighted that education is vital for Assam's long-term development, linking higher school retention to improved employment opportunities, social mobility, and economic advancement.

He further underscored the importance of technology and data-driven governance in tracking enrollment and identifying students at risk of dropping out.

Experts believe that maintaining a strong focus on quality education, counseling, skill-building, and community engagement will be essential to reaching the state’s ambitious goal of zero dropouts.

With the government signaling a continuation of educational reforms at an intensified pace, officials anticipate further investments in school infrastructure, teacher training, and student support systems in the coming years, as Assam strives to ensure that every child completes secondary education and is prepared for the future.