Tripura Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma reaffirms the government’s commitment to tribal education, English-medium learning, cultural preservation, and rapid teacher recruitment during a surprise inspection of Karbook Ashram School hostels in Gomati district.
Tripura Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma on Friday evening conducted a surprise inspection of the boys’ and girls’ hostels at Karbook Ashram School in Gomati district, reiterating the state government’s firm commitment to strengthening tribal education while safeguarding indigenous language, culture, and identity.
During his interaction with students, teachers, and hostel authorities, the Minister clarified that Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha is not opposed to English-medium education. He emphasized that the present government supports quality education in English alongside sincere efforts to preserve tribal heritage. Debbarma informed that more than 100 Vidyajyoti schools across Tripura are already providing education in the English medium, reflecting the government’s forward-looking education policy.
Addressing concerns related to cultural preservation, the Minister stated that if tribal communities choose to adopt a Roman script for their languages to protect their cultural identity, the government has no objection. He said development and cultural preservation must go hand in hand, and education should empower tribal youth without disconnecting them from their roots.
During discussions with teachers and students, the issue of staff shortage was raised. Debbarma assured that the government is taking urgent steps to fill vacant teaching posts and that no student will be allowed to suffer due to administrative delays. “Without education, no community can achieve true and sustainable development,” he remarked, explaining why he regularly visits schools and hostels across Tripura to monitor conditions firsthand.
Launching a sharp attack on previous governments, the Tribal Welfare Minister alleged that tribal communities were systematically deprived of educational opportunities in the past. He claimed that neglecting tribal education was a deliberate strategy. “An uneducated population can be politically exploited easily. That is why tribal education was ignored for years,” he said.
Highlighting the achievements of the current BJP-led government, Debbarma pointed out that while only four Eklavya Model Residential Schools existed earlier, the present administration has established 21 such institutions across the state. These schools provide free, quality education to tribal boys and girls, significantly expanding access to learning opportunities in remote areas.
He further noted that Karbook Ashram School now offers classes from Grade I to Grade XII, ensuring uninterrupted and comprehensive education for students from the surrounding tribal regions.
Explaining the purpose of his revisit, the Minister said the inspection was aimed not merely at issuing directions, but at verifying whether previously identified issues had been effectively addressed on the ground. He reviewed the progress made in infrastructure development, academic environment, and administrative management, stressing the need to accelerate improvements wherever required.
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Debbarma also held direct interactions with students to understand their educational needs, facilities, and future aspirations. He said that students’ thoughts and expectations must guide future planning to create a more supportive, inclusive, and future-ready educational environment.
The inspection was conducted in the presence of senior officials, including Tourism Secretary U.K. Chakma, former MLA Mohashwar Ali, and school authorities. The Minister directed hostel management to ensure that students face no inconvenience and that standards of hygiene, safety, and discipline are strictly maintained.
