Assam has witnessed a wave of protests from teachers, students, and civil society groups after the state government announced plans to merge a significant number of schools with low student enrolment. The proposal, aimed at consolidating educational resources and improving efficiency, has been met with strong resistance from communities that fear the move will disrupt learning, displace teachers, and weaken access to education in rural and remote areas.

The government’s plan targets schools where student numbers have fallen below a prescribed threshold. Officials argue that maintaining such institutions is financially unsustainable and leads to inefficient use of resources, including teaching staff, infrastructure, and learning materials. By merging smaller schools into larger ones, the administration says it can improve student–teacher ratios, provide better facilities, and ensure a broader curriculum.

However, critics of the policy contend that the real-world impact on students will be far more damaging than the government admits. In many rural parts of Assam, the nearest alternative school could be several kilometers away, raising concerns about travel safety, dropout rates, and unequal access for children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Teachers’ associations have warned that the policy could lead to job losses, particularly for contractual and non-permanent staff.

The announcement has triggered statewide demonstrations, with protestors staging rallies outside government offices and district education headquarters. Teachers have boycotted classes in some areas, while parents have joined sit-ins demanding the immediate withdrawal of the plan. Student unions, notably the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), have accused the government of prioritizing cost-cutting over the right to education, calling the policy “short-sighted and anti-student.”

In response, the Assam Education Department has attempted to reassure stakeholders, stating that no school will be closed without ensuring that students are transferred to institutions within a reasonable distance. Officials also maintain that transportation arrangements, including free bus services for students, will be introduced to minimize inconvenience. They argue that the consolidation process will lead to more specialized teaching and better academic outcomes, especially in subjects like science and mathematics, which smaller schools often struggle to offer.

Despite these assurances, trust between the government and affected communities remains fragile. Education activists have urged the administration to conduct thorough consultations before implementing the mergers. They have suggested alternative solutions, such as introducing multi-grade classrooms, improving infrastructure in existing schools, and providing additional support for low-enrolment institutions instead of shutting them down.

Political parties in the opposition have seized on the issue, portraying it as evidence of the government’s neglect of rural education. They have vowed to support the protests and have demanded an immediate halt to the merger process until a more comprehensive impact study is conducted.

The controversy also reflects broader challenges in balancing education policy with demographic realities. Declining enrolment in some schools is linked to urban migration, shrinking rural populations, and changing economic patterns. Addressing these issues, activists say, requires a nuanced approach rather than blanket measures that risk alienating entire communities.

As protests continue, the Assam government faces mounting pressure to either revise its plan or risk escalating unrest across the state’s education sector. The coming weeks will likely determine whether the policy can be adapted in a way that meets both fiscal goals and the educational needs of Assam’s most vulnerable students.