Guwahati, Dec 1: Assam has merged more than 2,900 government schools over the past five years to improve efficiency and strengthen learning outcomes, the Lok Sabha was informed on Monday.

According to Union Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary, the state has amalgamated 2,774 elementary schools and 206 secondary schools under the Shiksha Kshetra Scheme, which focuses on institutions with low enrolment or those located within the same campus. The initiative aims to consolidate administrative and academic resources for better functioning.

Chaudhary clarified that no government or provincialised schools across primary, middle, high or higher secondary levels have been closed in Assam. He said the mergers comply with the Right to Education Act, 2009, ensuring that students continue to have uninterrupted access to education.

The minister added that the consolidation process follows prescribed distance norms to ensure efficient deployment of teachers and reduce dropout rates. Students continue attending schools within their local areas after the merger.