Staff Reporter, Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has directed education department officials to work towards raising the state's key education indicators above the national average, underscoring the government's commitment to strengthening the education sector. During a high-level review meeting on June 18, the Chief Minister assessed the progress of various initiatives aimed at improving educational outcomes across the state. He emphasized the need to focus on critical indicators such as student dropout rates, teacher-student ratios, learning outcomes, and access to quality education. Sarma also reviewed measures to reduce dropout rates in higher education, proposals for creating new teaching posts, and plans to upgrade high schools into higher secondary institutions. He instructed officials to ensure the timely implementation of ongoing schemes and infrastructure projects to strengthen Assam's education ecosystem. The Chief Minister stressed that improving educational standards is crucial for the state's long-term socio-economic development. He called for coordinated efforts among departments to enhance learning opportunities and ensure that students across urban and rural areas benefit from quality education. The review meeting also highlighted the government's ongoing efforts to expand educational infrastructure and support students through various initiatives. Assam has recently introduced several education-focused programmes aimed at reducing disparities and improving academic performance among students. Officials have been tasked with closely monitoring progress and ensuring that educational reforms translate into measurable improvements, helping Assam emerge as a leading state in educational development.