Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has revealed that the state government will borrow ₹2,750 crore from the World Bank to improve its education infrastructure. The announcement came during a public event in Guwahati, where Sarma stressed the need for significant investment to uplift Assam’s school sector.
The fund, which will come in the form of a soft loan, will be used to upgrade classrooms, improve teaching quality, and modernize school management systems. The CM highlighted this as a critical step toward transforming the education landscape across Assam’s rural and urban areas.
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CM says state must invest in “future generation”
“We are working for the next 50 years, not just for five,” said Sarma while addressing school students and education officials. He emphasized that no development plan can succeed unless education is strengthened from the roots.
The loan is expected to support multiple interventions, including the construction of new school buildings, teacher training programs, digital classrooms, and targeted support for girl students. “Every rupee we invest today will shape Assam’s future,” the CM stated.
Sarma added that this initiative will also complement existing schemes like Mission Shiksha Setu and Gunotsav, which already focus on improving learning outcomes and infrastructure.
World Bank clears project proposal
According to government officials, the World Bank has already approved the preliminary plan. The project will run for the next five years and will be monitored jointly by Assam’s education department and World Bank evaluators.
The Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) under the Ministry of Finance has also given clearance for the loan. Once the loan agreement is signed, funds will begin to flow in phases, starting later this year.
Education department sources confirmed that the state will repay the loan over 20 years, with minimal interest, making it a viable long-term investment.
Key focus on rural and underserved areas
The Chief Minister made it clear that the biggest priority will be rural and underserved districts where school infrastructure remains inadequate. He pointed out that many schools in districts like Dhubri, Karimganj, and Dima Hasao still lack proper classrooms, toilets, and playgrounds.
Under the proposed plan, 3,000 government schools will receive infrastructure upgrades. Special provisions will be made for schools catering to tea garden workers’ children and schools in Sixth Schedule areas.
Additionally, the plan includes solar-powered classrooms, computer labs, and libraries for remote schools where electricity and resources are limited.
Teacher training and school leadership reforms
Another major component of the ₹2,750 crore investment is teacher development. Over 40,000 teachers are expected to undergo skill enhancement and digital education training. Sarma stressed that quality education needs quality teachers who are motivated and well-equipped.
“Building classrooms is not enough. We also need to build capacity among our teachers,” he said.
The plan will also introduce school leadership training programs for principals and headmasters. Officials said that school leaders will be trained in child psychology, academic planning, and digital governance.
Monitoring through real-time dashboards
To ensure transparency and measurable impact, the government will launch a central monitoring dashboard. This system will track real-time progress in construction, attendance, learning levels, and fund utilization.
Education Minister Ranoj Pegu said the dashboard will be accessible to the public and parents. “We want to bring transparency and community involvement in the way schools are run,” he said.
This monitoring mechanism will help assess the success of each project component and allow mid-course corrections if required.
Opposition cautious, asks for spending clarity
While the announcement was widely welcomed, opposition parties urged the government to clearly explain how the funds would be spent. The Congress demanded a white paper on the project’s financial details and implementation strategy.
Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia said, “We are not against education reforms. But the government must show how it will ensure the money doesn’t get misused.”
Civil society groups also emphasized the need to include disabled children and tribal communities in the education roadmap. Activist Pranab Boro said, “Inclusive education must be a core pillar of this program.”
Assam’s education sector sees steady reforms
Since taking office in 2021, CM Sarma has prioritized educational transformation. The state has launched initiatives like converting government schools into English medium institutions, digitizing classrooms, and merging under-enrolled schools.
Earlier this year, the state government conducted the Gunotsav evaluation drive across 40,000 schools, identifying learning gaps and infrastructure deficits. The new World Bank-funded program will use these results to prioritize interventions.
The CM also said that future school rankings will include student health, digital access, and teacher attendance as parameters.
Long-term vision for a better Assam
The government believes this ambitious World Bank-backed plan will shape the foundation of a more educated and skilled Assam. Himanta Biswa Sarma concluded, “We are not building only schools. We are building the future of our children, and that of Assam.”
The education project will officially begin rollout in early 2026, with the first phase focusing on 12 aspirational districts.
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