West Bengal mulls merger of upper primary schools with fewer than 50 students; proposal draws objections

MP, Nov 11, 2026, Kolkata: The West Bengal School Education Department is considering merging upper primary schools with fewer than 50 students with nearby high or higher secondary schools, as part of an exercise to address low enrolment and ensure better utilisation of government funds and staff.

Of the state’s 4,639 upper primary schools, 1,496 have fewer than 50 students. The department has initiated an exercise to identify these institutions and assess the feasibility of merging them with nearby secondary or higher secondary schools.

Recently, the department asked all District Inspectors of Schools (Secondary Education) to submit proposals for merging newly established upper primary schools with low enrolment with the nearest high or higher secondary institutions. The District Inspectors have subsequently directed Sub-Inspectors to furnish details of the identified institutions.

The reports must include 12 specific data points, such as the names and UDISE codes of the schools, total student enrolment, number of existing teaching staff, block and circle, and the proposed high or higher secondary school with which each institution could be merged. Officials have also been asked to provide the distance between the two institutions and other relevant remarks.

The exercise is to be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009. The department will consider these district-level inputs before taking a final decision on the restructuring.

The proposal has drawn objections from sections of the teaching community, raising concerns about the accessibility of schools, particularly for children living in areas where the nearest high or higher secondary institution may be located at a considerable distance.

The Sikshanuragi Aikya Mancha said that student strength alone should not determine the future of a school. The association has called for geographical location, distance from neighbouring institutions, existing infrastructure, and the scope for future enrolment to be considered before deciding on any merger.

Chandan Garai, secretary of the All Post Graduate Teachers’ Welfare Association, stated that the Education Department should provide an option to arrange transfers for willing teachers with postgraduate degrees to schools closer to their homes.