Three model high schools opened at Biswanath tea garden areas
HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, May 26: Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday inaugurated one model high school each in three tea estates of Biswanath district as part of the 96 such educational institutions that would become operational in various districts of the state by end of this month.
Addressing several public rallies related to the inaugural events at Pratapgarh, Hatinga and Sakomatha Tea Estates where these schools were inaugurated, the chief minister stated these institutions will act as factories producing human resources that will make every member of their community proud through their achievements in life.
“I am confident these schools will be able to meet the aspirations of every parent from the tea tribe communities who want to see their children receiving the same education as that of the wards of parents from other regions,” the chief minister said.
“Earlier, many children from the tea garden areas had to either drop out of the formal education system or didn’t even enrol into any school owing to many factors, primarily financial. These schools are opening a window of opportunities for such children as well. I would like to appeal to the parents to not deprive their children of the education they deserve and to make the best use of these schools,” he further added.
The chief minister also said that within a period of 2-3 years, these model high schools will be upgraded to higher secondary levels and that there were plans to establish graduation degree colleges too for the benefit of the tea garden communities.
The chief minister further said that these schools shouldn’t be seen as means to impart basic education alone but as a medium through which doctors, engineers, magistrates, police officers and bureaucrats of tomorrow will be produced. “Children from tea garden areas must aspire to touch the sky like their counterparts from other communities. I have a dream where children from the tea garden areas will be serving the society as doctors, engineers, magistrates and police officers and I am confident that my dream will come true very soon,” CM Sarma added.
Making a strong push for penetration of formal education in every family living within the tea garden areas, the chief minister said that education is the single most powerful weapon through which the economically backward tea tribe communities will be able to raise their socio-economic status to that of other communities.
At Gelahatinga Tea Estate Model High School, the chief minister sat with students of the educational institution and had a mid-day meal lunch with them.
Later in the day, the chief minister visited the under-construction new medical college at Biswanath town and instructed the contractor and the concerned officials to ensure the completion of construction by 2024.
The chief minister on Thursday was accompanied by Member of Parliament (Tezpur Lok Sabha Constituency) Pallab Lochan Das, Members of Legislative Assembly Promod Borthakur, Ranjit Dutta, Padma Hazarika, among others.
