Nearly 1,400 government primary and middle schools in Assam’s char and rural areas lack functional drinking water and toilet facilities, the state assembly was informed on Thursday.

Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu stated that these basic amenities are missing in Lower Primary (LP) and Middle English (ME) schools, affecting students’ health and hygiene. Out of 1,391 schools surveyed, 347 have no drinking water, while 809 schools lack toilets entirely. Additionally, 134 schools have non-functional drinking water sources, and 101 schools have inoperative toilets.

The Minister said that concerned departments are working to provide these essential facilities. Alongside infrastructure gaps, Assam faces a significant shortage of teachers in these regions, with nearly 28,000 teaching posts vacant across LP, ME, and Upper Primary (UP) schools.

Specifically, 12,382 teaching positions are vacant in ME schools, 8,251 in LP schools, and 7,303 in UP schools. Recruitment efforts are underway, including verification of 4,500 LP posts and the appointment of 9,717 teachers through a recent recruitment drive by the Secondary Education Directorate.

The situation underscores the critical challenges Assam faces in ensuring basic infrastructure and adequate staffing in the state’s most vulnerable educational zones.