HSLC Pass Rate at 51.89% Highlights Challenges in Tea Garden Education System
Why in News?
- The HSLC examination results have highlighted the educational challenges faced by Assam’s tea garden community, with a pass percentage of just 51.89%, far below the state average of 63.98%. Various socio-economic and systemic issues are contributing to this gap.
Important Key Points:
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Low Pass Percentage:
The tea garden community recorded a pass percentage of 51.89% in the HSLC exam, which is significantly lower than the state average of 63.98%. -
Teacher Shortage:
Balaram Kundu, a tea garden worker, pointed out a shortage of teaching staff in tea garden schools. Despite having schools, the lack of teachers hinders students’ academic progress. -
Absence of School Uniforms:
Kundu also flagged the lack of school uniforms as a significant barrier, making it difficult for some children to attend school. -
Impact of Illicit Liquor Consumption:
Nilesh Gana, of the Assam Tea Mazdoor Sangha, highlighted the impact of illicit liquor consumption on families, which affects the educational environment for children. Curbing liquor addiction could create a more supportive home environment for students. -
Economic Disadvantages:
Economic constraints prevent many tea garden students from attending private tuition, putting them at a disadvantage compared to children from wealthier backgrounds who can afford extra academic support. -
Need for Community Involvement:
Dinesh Tongla, a community member, stressed the importance of greater community awareness and involvement in education to improve academic outcomes. -
Linguistic Barrier:
Former SEBA secretary Kamaljyoti Gogoi pointed out that language barriers (with many children speaking languages like Oriya at home) contribute to lower performance, as students from diverse linguistic backgrounds face challenges in mastering Assamese, English, and Hindi. -
Limited Exposure:
Gogoi also noted that tea garden schools mostly serve students from the same community, which limits their social and academic exposure. A more diverse student body could improve their development. -
Expert Recommendations:
Educationists have called for long-term interventions such as better teacher recruitment, improved school infrastructure, community sensitization, and language support to bridge the education gap and ensure that students in tea gardens realize their full potential.
