Photo Courtesy: northeasttoday
Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha announced a new initiative to enhance the state's public education system by merging specific government schools and partnering with established organizations, such as the Ramakrishna Mission, to oversee their management. This strategic shift aims to create a superior academic environment and resolve long-standing operational hurdles within the state school network.
The move addresses critical staffing gaps, as recent reports from NITI Aayog indicate a shortage of more than 8,000 teachers across the state. The Chief Minister noted that many students are increasingly opting for private institutions that offer English-medium instruction, a shift particularly visible among students in tribal areas where traditional Bengali-medium schools have struggled to maintain enrollment numbers.
Reflecting on the need for systemic improvement, the Chief Minister stated, "We are planning to merge some schools and entrust their management to organisations or societies like the Ramakrishna Mission so that students receive quality education." The government intends to elevate public schools to match the standards of the private sector, building on previous efforts such as the conversion of 125 institutions into CBSE-affiliated Vidyajyoti schools in 2021.
Beyond structural changes, the state is focused on reducing dropout rates and curbing child marriage by promoting female education. To support these goals, the government removed family income restrictions for its free bicycle distribution scheme. This year, approximately 41,800 girl students in Class IX are set to receive bicycles to help facilitate their commute to school and foster greater independence.
Comments