Since its establishment on 27th May 2022, the Namsang Tea Garden Model School has emerged as a beacon of hope for children of tea garden communities, who were once forced to abandon education due to lack of access to secondary schooling. In just two years, the school has not only brought over 300 out-of-school children back into the classroom but has also transformed the educational landscape in one of the remotest corners of Assam.
Debajit Ghosh, the principal of the school, while speaking to Asom Barta, said, “Earlier, the children of the tea garden could only study up to the primary level. Post-that, they had to leave school because there was no high school within a 15 km radius. The nearest one required crossing the Dehing Patkai National Park, which was extremely risky.”
The opening of the model school changed everything, “Children, irrespective of age group, began enrolling. The minimum age of a student was 18.” In its first year, the school saw an enrolment of 271 students, which increased to 326 in the second year.
In the 1st year, 32 students appeared in High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) examinations and 14 passed. The following year, 20 students sat for the examinations and 18 passed, achieving a remarkable 90% pass percentage.
Beyond enrolment, Ghosh tackled severe anaemia among students by ensuring nutritious foods during the mid-day meal. He also fostered a keen interest in science education among the students. This year, eight students took admission into the science stream at Naharkatia Higher Secondary School.
To reach the school, Ghosh travels around 150 km every day, “I was previously working at a prominent school in Dibrugarh, but now posted to the remotest school in the district. Despite this, I feel immense satisfaction seeing the development the school is bringing among the community,” said Ghosh, adding “The Assam Government’s sincere efforts are visible at the grassroots. I firmly believe in the next 10-15 years, we will witness a massive change in the lifestyle of the tea garden communities.”
Echoing his view, Anjan Konwar, Principal of Chabua Tea Garden Model School, said, “These schools are greatly focusing on holistic development of every child. Through Government’s support, we have purchased sports materials and installed Smart TV.”
Konwar added that with the children coming back to school, many critical social issues like child marriage and early pregnancies are also getting addressed.
Chabua Tea Garden Model School’s enrolment today stands at 270, and its HSLC pass percentage rose from 64% to an impressive 94%.
The impact of these schools is best reflected in voices like Nira Nandi, a recent pass-out of Namsang Model School and now a student at Naharkatia HS School.
“The model school is a boon for students like me,” Nira told this newsletter, adding, “I had to quit studies after primary school due to lack of options. But with the model school, I got a second chance. The infrastructure and teaching quality are excellent. Our teachers were caring and supportive, helping us throughout the session.”
Now determined to pursue higher education, Nira dreams of contributing to her community’s uplift.
Golaghat district has eight Tea Garden Model Schools. Ronjit Boruah, headmaster of Dakhinhengera Tea Garden Model High School said, “The local community has very well accepted the establishment and the school is getting all required community support.”
Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, while appreciating the increase in enrolment of Tea Garden Model Schools by 96%, announced that Government of Assam will set up 80 more model schools by January 2026. It is also to be mentioned that in 2025, a total 49 tea garden model schools have recorded more than 60% pass percentage and 18 recorded 90% pass percentage while 12 schools have a 100% record.
