Abstract

This study examines the public expenditure on school education in Assam, focusing specifically on tea garden areas, which are home to approximately 10 lakh workers and represent a significant portion of the state’s population. The research highlights the challenges faced by tea garden schools, including high teacher-student ratios, irregular attendance, and poor compliance with the Right to Education (RTE) norms. Despite the legal framework established by the Plantations Labour Act (PLA) of 1951, which mandates basic facilities for workers, issues regarding the quality of education and infrastructure persist.

With the recent implementation of new labour codes, this study aims to analyse educational provisions in tea garden schools compared to non-tea garden schools, assessing factors such as infrastructural facilities, teacher availability, and compliance with RTE provisions. By focusing on both normative compliance and practical access to educational resources, the study seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the educational landscape in Assam’s tea gardens. The findings will contribute to developing targeted programs aimed at improving educational quality and addressing the unique needs of tea garden communities.

PBET & CBPS. (2022). Public Expenditure on School Education and Quality of Educational Provisions in Assam with Special Reference to the Tea Garden Region Schools.