"Pragati, Vikas rest on building an ecosystem where children can access quality education": Assam CM Sarma

Guwahati (Assam) [India], October 13 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said that Pragati and Vikas rest on improving ease of living and building an ecosystem where children can access quality education.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister launched the ceremonial distribution of bicycles as part of CM's Special Scheme for students and provincialized schools as he presented free bicycles to over 3.7 lakh students, 56 per cent girls of Class IX at a function held at Tezpur in Sonitpur district.
Taking to the social media platform, X, Sarma said, "Pragati and Vikas rest on improving ease of living and building an ecosystem where our children can access quality education. From revamping over 4,000 schools and fulfilling teaching vacancies, Assam is also equipping students with cycles, computers & two-wheelers. Today, we distributed bicycles worth Rs 161 cr to 3.7 lakh meritorious 9th standard students across public schools, 56 per cent of them are girls."
Notably, under the scheme altogether 3,69,454 students of Class IX will be given free bicycles involving a financial outlay of Rs 161 crore.
Under the scheme, Chief Minister Sarma distributed 12,484 bicycles to the students of Sonitpur district.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sarma said that the state government has been working unrelentingly to improve the academic scenario of the state.
"As a part of the state government's relentless efforts towards academic empowerment, free bicycles are being distributed to the students," the Assam CM said.
He also said that from the next year, free bicycles will be given to the students from Class VIII onwards.
He said that the recruitment of teachers is going on and in the current year, 10,000 more teachers will be inducted.
The Chief Minister also said that for the promotion of the academic landscape of the state, the state government is implementing an amalgamation process. This amalgamation process is infusing more quality and accountability into the system.
Sarma further said that after 75 years of independence, the present State government is setting up high schools in tea garden areas.
He called upon the students to pay their attention to studies, get good results and become good human assets.
He also asked the students to show adequate respect to their parents.
Minister for Education Dr. Ranoj Pegu, Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Ashok Singhal, MP Pallab Lochan Das, MLAs Padma Hazarika, Prithviraj Rabha, Ganesh Limbu, Krishna Kamal Tanti, Secretary Higher Education Narayan Konwar and a host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
On the other hand, Assam Agriculture Minister Atul Bora distributed 12,599 bicycles to the students of Morigaon district during a programme held at Morigaon.