Introductions
In a notable move, the West Bengal cabinet has given the green light to a proposal that mandates Bengali as a second language in private English medium schools. The decision was reached during a cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Addressing the issue, a senior official noted, “While students have the option to study Bengali as a second language, many tend to opt for Hindi or other languages. Consequently, the proper acquisition of the Bengali language is compromised. Today, the state cabinet resolved to rectify this situation by making Bengali a compulsory second language across all private English medium schools within the state.”
Formation of Education Commission to Tackle School-Related Concerns
The cabinet also endorsed the establishment of an education commission tasked with addressing grievances related to private schools. Drawing inspiration from the health commission, the education commission will be headed by a retired judge.
Explaining the rationale, the official stated, “Amid the pandemic, numerous complaints were received concerning exorbitant tuition fee hikes by private schools. There were also concerns about syllabus discrepancies and examination protocols. The commission will diligently investigate these matters.”
Support for the Mandate from Language Advocacy Group
The decision to make Bengali mandatory as a second language was warmly received by Bangla Pokkho, an organization dedicated to promoting the Bengali language.
Kausik Maiti, the organising secretary of Bangla Pokkho, expressed satisfaction, saying, “The people of Bengal have eagerly awaited this decision for quite some time.”
Creation of New Districts on the Horizon
Another noteworthy development emerged as the state cabinet approved the formation of a committee tasked with submitting a report on the potential creation of seven new districts within the next three months. The districts of Nadia, Birbhum, Malda, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Purba, and Paschim Medinipur would be restructured to accommodate these new administrative units.
Chief Minister’s Call for Swift Implementation
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has set a 15-day deadline for the execution of all decisions made by the state government, including those sanctioned by the cabinet. Officials have been directed to furnish a comprehensive implementation report to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).
The move to make Bengali mandatory in private English medium schools marks a significant step toward preserving and nurturing the linguistic heritage of West Bengal, while the establishment of the education commission aims to foster transparency and accountability within the private education sector. With these developments in motion, the state is poised to address educational concerns and administrative reorganization in a proactive manner.
