In a significant move to enhance student safety and attendance, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated a bicycle distribution scheme under the Chief Minister’s Special Scheme for Class IX students from Government and provincial schools. The launch, held in Dibrugarh, will benefit 3,10,031 pupils, particularly those residing in rural and interior areas, making their daily commute quicker and safer.
The initiative, which includes tea garden model schools and Adarsha Vidyalayas, aims to significantly increase school enrolment and curb the student drop-out rate. Of the beneficiaries, 1,34,432 are male students and 1,75,608 are female students.Speaking at the event, Sarma highlighted the critical issue of school dropouts, noting that forty per cent of students leave education by the higher secondary level. He stressed that a suitable environment nurtures talent, which educational institutions
are uniquely placed to provide. To combat poverty-related dropouts, the Government has already introduced free textbooks, uniforms and midday meals. Sarma pointed out that the bicycles address the challenge of long travel distances to secondary schools. This scheme complements other student-centric measures, such as free college enrolment and financial aid like the Nijut Moina scheme, which provides monthly stipends to girl students at the higher secondary, undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
A similar scheme for boys is reportedly forthcoming. The Chief Minister affirmed the Government’s relentless efforts over the past five years to improve the academic environment, citing the construction of new school buildings, colleges, medical and engineering institutions. He also encouraged students to utilise their mobile phones for educational purposes, stating, “The mobile phone in our hands should not be used only to scroll through Facebook or Instagram.
We should use it to learn about geography, history, science, sports and new events around the world.”Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, Indigenous and Tribal Faith and Culture Minister Jogen Mohan, Power Minister Prasanta Phukan, Cultural Affairs Minister Bimal Borah, MLAs Chakradhar Gogoi, Binod Hazarika, Terosh Gowala and Taranga Gogoi, Dibrugarh Municipal Board Chairman Saikat Patra, Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council Chief Executive Member Tonkeswar Sonowal, Moran Autonomous Council Chief Executive Member Saroj Gohain, Dibrugarh Zila Parishad Chairperson Pushpanjali Sonowal, Chairman Assam Tourism Development Corporation Rituporno Baruah, Secretary Education and host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
