What was announced
The “Second Chance Education (SCE)” initiative was officially launched on July 9, 2026, in Morigaon through a district-level consultation. The event was organised under the aegis of the Morigaon District Administration and jointly conducted by the Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ASRLM), the Women and Child Development (WCD) Department, and Samagra Shiksha Assam. The initiative is being implemented in partnership with Educate Girls, an organisation focused on girls’ education. Officials familiar with the programme stated that the initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. It will enable learners to complete their education through either the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) or the Assam State Open School (ASOS). Following academic completion, participants will be linked to skill development and livelihood opportunities. The programme is currently being piloted across five districts: Biswanath, Dhubri, Karbi Anglong, Morigaon, and Nagaon.Why it matters
The SCE initiative is crucial for Assam, where official data indicates significant educational challenges. Morigaon district, for instance, records a secondary school dropout rate of 24.32 percent among girls. Additionally, 39.1 percent of women in the district are married before the age of 18, a factor often leading to discontinuation of their education. District mapping in Morigaon has already identified over 24,000 women aged 18-30 in Self-Help Groups (SHGs), with 63 percent of them yet to complete secondary education. Furthermore, 471 out-of-school children were identified through the SSA Survey 2026-27. The programme aims to address these specific barriers by providing a structured pathway for these individuals to re-enter the education system and gain skills. Morigaon District Commissioner Anamika Tewari said the initiative offers a meaningful opportunity for out-of-school youth, especially girls and young women, to complete their education and move towards skill development. The initiative is expected to strengthen the pathway from education to employment, with a comprehensive action plan being prepared to outline clear timelines and departmental responsibilities.Background
Assam has historically grappled with high school dropout rates, particularly at the secondary level, which have been attributed to economic challenges, socio-cultural norms, and a lack of secondary schools in certain areas. Education Minister Ranoj Pegu noted in September 2024 that poverty in tea garden and ‘char’ areas, coupled with limited access to secondary education, contributes significantly to students leaving school early. In 2022, Minister Pegu also highlighted that dropout rates in primary schools had doubled in 2021-22, largely due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the identification of “fake students’ rolls.” However, recent UDISE+ reports show some improvements. The UDISE+ Report 2024-25 indicated a reduction in dropout rates across all levels in Assam. The primary level dropout rate decreased from 6.2 percent in 2023-24 to 3.8 percent in 2024-25, while the upper primary rate fell from 8.2 percent to 5.0 percent. The secondary level saw a decline from 25.1 percent to 17.5 percent, though this remains higher than the national average of 8.2 percent. Despite these improvements, over 100,000 children remain out of school in Assam, facing issues of low attendance and high dropout rates. The state government has undertaken various initiatives to promote education and reduce dropouts. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has repeatedly emphasised the government’s commitment to ensuring poverty does not hinder access to education, highlighting schemes like scholarships, infrastructure development, and financial support for girl students. The “Nijut Moina” programme, for instance, provides financial incentives to girls for school attendance and higher education, aiming to combat child marriage and teenage pregnancy. Samagra Shiksha Assam also implements programmes focused on self-defence, life skills, mental health, menstrual hygiene, and child protection for adolescent girls.Key details
The Second Chance Education initiative will involve multiple government departments and partner organisations. The Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ASRLM) and the Women and Child Development (WCD) Department will spearhead awareness generation and learner mobilisation efforts. Samagra Shiksha Assam, along with NIOS and ASOS, will facilitate enrolment and provide academic support. The Assam Skill Development Mission (ASDM) will be responsible for connecting learners to vocational training and livelihood opportunities. The ASDM, established in 2015, aims to build the capacity of unemployed youth and provide quality skill training for meaningful employment and entrepreneurship. Its vision includes addressing unemployment and poverty by optimising the state’s human resources and stimulating the rural economy. The WCD Department, bifurcated in 2022, focuses on the well-being and protection of women and children through various welfare services and development programmes, including schemes for adolescent girls that provide nutritional support, health check-ups, and skilling. The programme’s pilot phase covers five districts: Biswanath, Dhubri, Karbi Anglong, Morigaon, and Nagaon. The launch in Morigaon also initiated a district-wide mobilisation campaign, encouraging Self-Help Groups, Village Organisations, and local communities to identify eligible out-of-school adolescents and youth for enrolment in the current NIOS and ASOS admission cycle.Reactions
Morigaon District Commissioner Anamika Tewari underscored the importance of the initiative.“This initiative offers a meaningful opportunity for out-of-school youth, especially girls and young women, to complete their education and move towards skill development and livelihood opportunities,” Tewari said.