ARDA lays emphasis on quality education to improve lives of rural Assamese

The Agency for Rural Development Action (ARDA) is playing a very important role in taking education to people in rural Assam.

Selek Kamalpur village, situated on the bank of Brahmaputra at Majuli in Assam's Jorhat district, is inhabited by nearly 3,000 people. The village, inhabited by the Mising tribe, till recently lacked basic facilities, including a school.

However, with the efforts of the ARDA, the situation is changing gradually. ARDA, set up by K.A Thomas and some villagers, aims at bringing about a change in rural areas.

It set up a public school in 2007 which has 110 students and 9 teachers.

"I got lot of help from the public of this area. They supported me to build this school. They want to see lot of things like engineers, good teachers and good development in the school and in this area," said Lbijoy Doley, Principal, ARDA Public School.

The school, which currently conducts courses till primary level, charges a reasonable annual fee from students. While the medium of instruction is English, the school lays emphasis on keeping students rooted to the Mising tribal language.

"The people here are illiterate. So, I decided to teach here and make the society and the coming generation educated so that they will change their life," said Thomas Doley, a teacher

"My aim in life is to become a doctor. So I have to study hard. After becoming a doctor, I will see sick persons and give medical service to the society," added Amiya Doley , a student.

Education can play an important role by steering the youth towards a productive and better life.