The Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East (PM-DeVINE) is steadily redefining the landscape of government school education in Assam. Originally conceived as a broad-based development programme for the North-Eastern states, the scheme has found particular resonance in Assam’s education sector, an area that has long demanded urgent reform and sustained investment.
The initiative drew renewed attention on January 4, when Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma spoke about the visible transformation taking place in government schools across the state. Highlighting the impact of PM-DeVINE, the Chief Minister said that the scheme is helping convert these institutions into “true temples of learning,” equipped with modern infrastructure, smart classrooms, and improved facilities that support both teaching and holistic development.
Sharing his views on social media platform X, Sarma emphasised that PM-DeVINE is strengthening the foundations of school education by creating learning environments where technology complements traditional teaching methods rather than replacing them. According to him, government schools in Assam are gradually emerging as spaces that nurture knowledge, discipline, and a sense of responsibility towards nation-building.
What is PM-DeVINE?
PM-DeVINE is a Central Sector scheme announced in the Union Budget 2022-23 with a clear objective: to fast-track infrastructure development and promote social and economic growth in the North-Eastern region. Unlike centrally sponsored schemes that require state cost-sharing, PM-DeVINE is fully funded by the Centre, allowing states to focus on execution without fiscal constraints.
The scheme covers a wide range of sectors, including road connectivity, health, tourism, agriculture, and livelihoods. However, in Assam, education has emerged as one of the most prominent focus areas. This is largely due to the state government’s recognition that long-term development depends on strengthening human capital, especially in rural and semi-urban regions.
For decades, many government schools in Assam suffered from inadequate infrastructure, outdated classrooms, and limited access to modern teaching tools. These shortcomings affected learning outcomes and contributed to a growing perception that government schools were inferior to private institutions. PM-DeVINE was designed to address precisely these structural gaps.
Before the implementation of PM-DeVINE projects, a significant number of government schools in Assam operated under difficult conditions. Old and poorly maintained buildings, overcrowded classrooms, lack of proper sanitation facilities, and limited teaching aids were common issues, particularly outside major urban centres.
In rural and semi-urban areas, these challenges often forced parents to seek private schooling options or send their children far from home, placing financial and emotional strain on families. In some cases, students dropped out altogether due to distance, poor facilities, or lack of motivation.
PM-DeVINE has sought to reverse this trend by investing in infrastructure upgrades that directly improve the day-to-day learning environment. Funds under the scheme are being used to renovate old school buildings, construct additional classrooms, improve safety features, and provide essential amenities that support student well-being.
Smart Classrooms: Technology as a Teaching Partner
One of the most visible and widely discussed outcomes of PM-DeVINE in Assam is the introduction of smart classrooms in government schools. These classrooms are equipped with digital boards, audio-visual systems, projectors, and other modern teaching aids that allow educators to present lessons in more engaging and interactive ways.
Through videos, animations, presentations, and digital content, teachers are now able to explain complex concepts more clearly. For students, especially those who may struggle with traditional textbook-based learning, this shift has made lessons more accessible and interesting.
Officials involved in the implementation quoted in media say that the use of technology has also helped bridge learning gaps. Visual and interactive tools enable students to grasp subjects such as science, mathematics, and geography more effectively, while also encouraging participation and curiosity.
Importantly, the state government has repeatedly stressed that technology under PM-DeVINE is meant to support teachers, not replace them. The emphasis remains on maintaining classroom discipline, value-based education, and a strong teacher-student relationship.
Improved Infrastructure Beyond Digital Tools
While smart classrooms have attracted significant attention, PM-DeVINE’s impact extends well beyond digital upgrades. Many schools across Assam have received comprehensive infrastructure improvements, including better lighting, ventilation, seating arrangements, and sanitation facilities.
In several cases, school buildings that had not seen major repairs for decades have been renovated to meet modern safety and usability standards. Officials say these upgrades have created safer, cleaner, and more comfortable spaces, enabling students to focus better on their studies.
Access to quality education closer to home has been another important outcome. As government schools improve, families are increasingly confident about enrolling their children locally, reducing dependence on distant institutions or costly private schools.
The Palasbari School
To illustrate the ground-level impact of PM-DeVINE, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma referred to a government school in Palasbari that was established in 1953. Like many legacy institutions in Assam, the school functioned for decades with limited resources and basic infrastructure.
Under PM-DeVINE, the Palasbari school underwent significant upgrades. Modern classrooms, improved facilities, and better learning spaces have transformed the institution, giving it a renewed sense of purpose and identity.
According to the Chief Minister, the school now reflects a stronger focus on education as a tool for national development. While its historical roots and connection to the local community have been preserved, its physical and academic environment has been aligned with present-day educational needs.
The Palasbari school has since become a reference point for how old government institutions can be revitalised without losing their legacy, a model that is being replicated across the state.
PM-DeVINE and Assam’s Broader Education Vision
PM-DeVINE is not operating in isolation. Its education-focused projects align closely with the Assam government’s broader strategy to reform and expand the public education system. The state leadership has consistently highlighted education as a cornerstone of Assam’s long-term development agenda.
As part of this vision, the Assam Cabinet has approved the establishment of 100 new schools across the state. Announcing the decision, the Chief Minister said it reflects a strong commitment to ensuring that every child has access to quality education.
Crucially, the emphasis is not merely on increasing the number of schools but on raising the standard of education delivered within them. PM-DeVINE-funded upgrades, when combined with state-led initiatives, are intended to create a robust and inclusive education ecosystem.
There is a visible changes in government schools as they play an important role in rebuilding public trust. When parents see modern classrooms, clean facilities, and improved teaching methods, they are more likely to view government schools as reliable and aspirational spaces for their children’s education.
This renewed confidence, many say, is essential for reversing years of declining enrolment in public schools and for ensuring that education remains accessible and equitable.
The Palasbari school is just one among many decades-old institutions benefiting from PM-DeVINE upgrades. Across Assam, legacy government schools are being reimagined to better serve today’s students.
Rather than replacing old structures entirely, the approach has been to modernise them while preserving their historical and cultural significance. This balance reflects an understanding that development does not require erasing the past, but rather building upon it thoughtfully.
By upgrading existing infrastructure, PM-DeVINE is helping Assam maximise the value of its educational assets while preparing them for future generations.
As PM-DeVINE continues to be implemented across Assam, government schools are steadily moving towards a future-ready model of education. Stronger infrastructure, smart classrooms, and a renewed focus on quality learning are creating better opportunities for students, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.
The changes seen so far suggest that PM-DeVINE is more than just an infrastructure initiative. It is becoming a central pillar of Assam’s effort to build a resilient and inclusive education system—one that supports long-term human resource development and equips young citizens to meet future challenges with confidence.
In transforming government schools into vibrant centres of learning, PM-DeVINE is helping lay the groundwork for a stronger, more educated Assam, where public education once again stands as a symbol of opportunity, equity, and national progress.
