Guwahati, September 5, 2026: The Assam government has stepped up its focus on both higher and school education, felicitating 12 colleges that received autonomous status from the University Grants Commission (UGC) during the current academic year and launching efforts to bring back thousands of students who have stopped attending school despite being enrolled.
The announcements were made in connection with the state-level Teachers’ Day programme in Guwahati, where Assam Education Minister Dr. Ranoj Pegu highlighted recent developments and challenges facing the state’s education sector. The Assam government officially lists Dr. Ranoj Pegu as the Minister of Education.
Among the key recognitions at the programme was the felicitation of 12 colleges that achieved autonomous status from the UGC during the current academic year. The institutions are Jawaharlal Nehru College, Kamrup; Lakhimpur Girls’ College, Lakhimpur; Dispur College, Kamrup Metropolitan; Moridhal College, Dhemaji; Goalpara College, Goalpara; Madhab Choudhury College, Barpeta; Pragjyotish College, Kamrup Metropolitan; Guwahati Commerce College, Kamrup Metropolitan; Kaliabor College, Nagaon; Jorhat Kendriya Mahavidyalaya, Jorhat; Pandu College, Kamrup Metropolitan; and D.K.D. College, Golaghat. The list and district details correspond with reports on the Teachers’ Day felicitation programme.
The conferment of autonomous status is expected to give the colleges greater academic flexibility and support their efforts to strengthen teaching, curriculum development and institutional growth. For instance, the UGC granted Dispur College autonomous status for 10 years beginning with the 2026–27 academic session.
At the same time, the Education Department has identified a major concern at the school level. According to Dr. Pegu, data analysis has indicated that around 5.5 lakh students who are recorded as enrolled are no longer attending classes. The government has consequently started efforts to identify these students and bring them back into the formal education system. Recent reports independently carried the minister’s statement on the 5.5-lakh figure and the government’s efforts to address the issue.
The Education Department reportedly detected the problem by analysing information from the Shiksha Setu platform along with records maintained by Anganwadi centres under the Women and Child Development Department. The data is being examined on a month-wise basis to identify students who stopped attending school and understand where they dropped out of the education system.
Dr. Pegu explained that some students initially take admission but stop attending classes after a short period. The department is therefore examining student progression between classes and comparing school records with Anganwadi data to identify gaps in enrolment and attendance.
As part of the effort, the Assam government has also entered into an agreement with an NGO to identify, enrol and retain out-of-school adolescents aged 15 to 18 years, with particular attention to girls. The initiative is aimed at helping adolescents who have discontinued their education return to the formal system and remain in school.
The Teachers’ Day programme also recognised 15 meritorious teachers nominated for the State-level Best Teacher Award 2026 for their commitment, innovative teaching practices and contribution to education. Other recognitions were also presented during the event, including awards connected with higher education, technical education and the state’s school education initiatives.
The dual focus on recognising institutional and individual achievements while addressing student absenteeism reflects the Assam government’s current emphasis on improving educational quality as well as ensuring that students remain connected to the school system.
