Tripura Government Plans to Shut Low-Enrolment more Schools in ADC Areas, Replace Them with Residential Institutions

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, October 13, 2026

The Tripura government is planning to close government schools with low or negligible student enrolment, particularly in areas of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), and replace them with residential educational institutions to improve access to quality education for students living in remote and underserved areas.

Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha disclosed the proposed plan on Monday, stating that several government schools in ADC areas have teachers but little or no student enrolment. The government is examining the possibility of shutting down such institutions and establishing residential schools in locations where children face difficulties accessing educational facilities.

According to the Chief Minister, the proposed initiative aims to ensure that students living in remote areas receive better educational opportunities without having to travel long distances. The government is considering setting up residential facilities in suitable locations so that children can continue their studies in a more accessible and supportive environment.

Dr. Saha said the file movement for implementing the proposal had already begun and that the government was working towards putting the plan into effect in the coming days. He added that the administration was examining suitable locations for expanding residential education facilities.

The Chief Minister also referred to the government's plans to establish Eklavya Model Residential Schools in the TTAADC areas. In addition, the state government has been planning to establish residential schools in areas where existing government schools have failed to record satisfactory enrolment.

Dr. Saha said the government had already received approval for the proposed schools, with 12 having started operations and six more expected to begin functioning soon. The remaining schools would be taken up as early as possible, he added.

The proposed restructuring of schools in low-enrolment areas could mark a significant shift in the government's approach to educational infrastructure in tribal and remote regions. Instead of maintaining institutions with very few students, the government intends to explore residential schooling as an alternative to improve access to education and make better use of available resources.

However, the proposed closure of existing schools is also likely to raise questions about the accessibility of education for children in remote villages, particularly those from economically disadvantaged families. The success of the initiative will depend on the availability of adequate residential facilities, transportation arrangements where necessary, sufficient teaching staff, student safety and the quality of education provided at the proposed institutions.

The government will also need to ensure that the transition does not disrupt the education of students currently enrolled in the schools proposed for closure. Reportedly Tripura Government has already shutdowns more than 500 schools across the state earlier.

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