Assam Government’s initiative to enhance education in tea gardens

With an aim to boost educational opportunities of children residing in the tea gardens of Assam, the Government of Assam has collaborated with a Public Charitable Trust, The Hans Foundation. A MoU has been signed the Department of School Education, Assam, and The Hans Foundation with an aim to strengthen 100 Model Schools in tea garden areas.

Education Minister of Assam Ranoj Pegu informed on social media that a programme titled ‘Uttam Xikhya’ will be implemented which is aimed at transforming education in Assam with Academic support, Life skills education, Tech interventions, Career guidance, Infrastructure support and Stakeholder engagement especially in underserved areas such as tea gardens.

he “Uttam Xikhya” initiative aims to elevate education for students in grades 6-12, aligning with the PM SHRI initiative. The programme will be implemented in a phased manner to ensure a systematic execution. Students will have to go through continuous assessment to track their progress.

“We are thrilled to partner with The Hans Foundation in this transformative initiative. It is about empowering our students with the skills and opportunities they need to thrive in life,” said Secondary Education Department Director Mamata Hojai.

Mr. Krishna, Senior Regional Manager at The Hans Foundation, expressed, “This MoU signifies our commitment to improving the educational landscape in Assam. By working closely with the Education Department, we aim to create a sustainable and impactful change in the lives of students in Tea Garden areas.”

Healthcare of tea garden workers

However, not just education, the state government is also focusing on better healthcare for tea garden workers. In June this year, the government collaborated with The Hans Foundation to roll out 24 medical vans equipped with all facilities to carry out diagnosis and offer basic treatment across 120 gardens. The purpose is to provide quality healthcare among tea garden communities. The Mobile Medical Unit Project will be launched in 120 most vulnerable tea gardens of Tinsukia and Dibrugarh districts of Assam.

As per the MoU, which is initially for five years, 40 medical vans equipped with healthcare professionals will provide regular check-ups, treatments and preventive care to tea garden workers and their families in Tinsukia and Dibrugarh. Additionally, home visits for the elderly and persons with disabilities as well as referrals to tertiary care centres for critical patients will be part of the services provided.

The Hans Foundation will cover the project implementation costs and offer free healthcare services to beneficiaries. Support from the Labour Welfare Department and district administrations will facilitate regular administrative assistance, reinforcing the effort to address health disparities among vulnerable populations in these remote tea garden regions.

Established in 2009, The Hans Foundation (THF), is a Public Charitable Trust, that works towards the Health and well-being of marginalized and under-served groups such as children, women and persons with disabilities. With an aim to create an equitable society, THF also focuses on holistic education and livelihood development of communities.