The West Bengal government has reportedly decided to prohibit teaching and non-teaching staff of government-run and government-aided schools from participating in political activities, School Education Minister Deepak Barman said on Thursday. The state is also considering a teacher accountability mechanism that could link annual salary increments and promotions with students’ learning outcomes from the next academic year.The decisions were discussed at a Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, October 28. The proposed measures indicate a broader effort by the state government to tighten administrative oversight of schools and bring greater accountability to the primary education system.According to PTI, the government is also examining changes in classroom management and student assessment, including the possibility of introducing a single-teacher system in primary classes and restoring the pass-fail system in schools.
West Bengal to restrict political activities by school staff
Confirming the proposed restriction, Barman said teaching and non-teaching employees of government-run and government-aided schools would be brought under rules prohibiting association with political activities.“From now on, teaching and non-teaching staff of government-run and government-aided schools will come under the rule prohibiting association with political activities. This was already in practice in states other than West Bengal,” Barman was quoted as saying by PTI.The announcement was made on the sidelines of a meeting at the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education building in Kolkata. The meeting focused on administrative, infrastructural and academic issues concerning schools across the state.The meeting was attended by chairpersons of primary education councils from 21 districts, along with the heads of the state’s primary and secondary education boards and the higher secondary education council. Higher Education Minister Jagannath Chattopadhyay was also present.The proposed restriction would cover both teaching and non-teaching personnel working in government-run and government-aided institutions.
Teacher increments and promotions may be linked to students’ performance
Alongside the proposed restrictions on political activities, the state government is considering a teacher accountability framework for primary schools from the next academic year.Under the proposed mechanism, teachers would be expected to take responsibility for the learning progress of students assigned to them. Their performance could be assessed against students’ ability to acquire foundational skills, particularly reading, and demonstrate academic improvement.Barman indicated that teachers could be asked to explain poor learning outcomes in their respective classes. If a majority of students failed to develop basic reading skills or showed inadequate academic progress, the concerned teacher would have to account for the results.“We will ask the teacher why their salary should be increased the following year. They will have to provide an explanation,” he said, as quoted by PTI.The government is examining the possibility of connecting such assessments with annual increments and promotions. However, the detailed evaluation framework, assessment parameters and implementation guidelines are yet to be announced.If implemented, the proposal could introduce a more direct link between classroom performance and teachers’ career progression in government and government-aided primary schools.
Single-teacher system for primary classes under consideration
The state government is also examining a proposal to introduce a single-teacher arrangement in primary schools.Under this model, one teacher would be responsible for teaching all subjects to a particular class instead of assigning separate teachers for individual subjects such as Bengali, English, geography and mathematics.The proposal is among the administrative changes being considered by the government. Its implementation would require clarity on teachers’ responsibilities, classroom management and the academic requirements of different subjects.The government has not announced a final decision on the proposed arrangement.
West Bengal considers restoring pass-fail system in schools
Another proposal under consideration is the possible reinstatement of the pass-fail system in schools. The move could bring changes to the existing approach to evaluating students’ academic performance. A formal return to the system would have implications for how students are assessed and how schools determine academic progression.However, the government has not yet disclosed the classes that could come under the proposed system or the assessment framework that may be adopted.The proposals on teacher accountability, classroom arrangements and student evaluation are still under consideration. Further details on their implementation are awaited.(With inputs from PTI)
