Tea gardens form a significant portion of the Assam geography and employ nearly 10 lakh garden workers across 856 tea estates in the state. These workers are a critical labour force for tea production. The welfare of these tea garden workers is one of the important aspects of the development programs in the state.
Numerous studies have examined the working conditions, pay structures, and living standards of tea garden workers, highlighting issues such as low wages and inadequate housing. However, research specifically analysing the State Government's budget for education in tea garden areas compared to other regions was scarce. With the introduction of new labour codes, there was an urgent need to develop a tailored policy for school education within tea estates, which could be pivotal for broader developmental initiatives.
The study aimed to assess public expenditure on school education in Assam, particularly in tea estate regions. It sought to compare educational spending in these areas against other regions, utilising available indicators to evaluate the impact of public funding on educational outcomes. The analysis included expenditures related to compliance with the Right to Education (RTE) Act, allowing for a comprehensive comparison across different regions. Additionally, the study conducted a small field survey to explore the quality of public expenditure in both tea estates and non-tea regions. This approach aimed to provide insights into how public spending influenced educational quality and accessibility for children in these critical labour communities.
