BJP MLAs meet education officials, signal new education policy for Bengal

MP, May 19, 2026, Kolkata: BJP MLAs associated with the education sector on Monday met senior officials of the state Education Department at Bikash Bhavan and said the newly formed government would consult stakeholders before framing a new education policy for Bengal.

The meeting with Education Secretary Binod Kumar was attended by BJP MLAs, including Shankar Ghosh and Swapan Dasgupta. Discussions covered school and higher education, teacher recruitment, alleged corruption in the sector and possible curriculum changes.

Sources in the department said the majority of the BJP MLAs also spoke in favour of restoring the pass-fail system beyond Classes V and VIII.

Addressing the media after the meeting, Ghosh alleged that Bengal’s education system had lost its past standards and prestige because of corruption and administrative failures.

“At one time Bengal created a historic chapter in education in India. Today the quality and prestige of education in the state have collapsed,” he said, adding that corruption and other problems in the sector had become matters of public concern.

Ghosh said the government would work towards “excellence and transparency” in education and consult all stakeholders connected with education before finalising policy decisions.

“We want to restore the lost standards and glory of education and seek everyone’s cooperation in establishing accountability towards teachers, students and society,” he said.

Dasgupta said the crisis in the education sector had become a matter of social concern and stressed the importance of both school and higher education in Bengal’s “revival”.

“The crisis in the education sector is being reflected across society,” Dasgupta said.

He said BJP legislators had pointed out several deficiencies in the education system and these would be placed before the chief minister before any policy announcement.

“We believe our goal should be to restore higher education in Bengal to its earlier position,” Dasgupta said.

Replying to a question on whether the Singur movement would be removed from Class VIII textbooks, Ghosh said the syllabus would be reviewed after discussions with the chief minister. He added that elements he described as “injustice and darkness” would be removed from the syllabus.