The West Bengal government has recently introduced a new State Education Policy (SEP), a significant movement applauded for its commitment to inclusive education. The SEP encapsulates the existing framework for school education while introducing several notable features.

Key Highlights of the West Bengal State Education Policy (SEP):

1. 5+4+2+2 School Structure: The SEP retains the state's existing 5+4+2+2 school structure. This includes one year of pre-primary education followed by four years of primary education up to Class 4, succeeded by two years of secondary education and two years of higher secondary education.


2. Semester-Level Examinations: The policy introduces semester-level examinations to aid the transition from school to university at the higher education level. These examinations will comprise a combination of multiple-choice and descriptive questions conducted over two semesters.


3. Pre-primary Augmentation: The new policy strengthens the system by incorporating the initial two years of education at an Anganwadi center, followed by a year of pre-primary education. The primary, upper primary, secondary, and higher secondary segments remain consistent.


4. Emphasis on Marginalized Students: The policy places a strong emphasis on enhancing education standards for marginalized, disadvantaged, and under-represented student communities. Recommendations from a committee of eminent academics, consulted in April 2022, serve as the foundation for the SEP. These recommendations received approval from the state cabinet in August 2023.


5. Three-Language Formula: The policy implements a three-language formula for students in Classes 5 to 8. This encourages linguistic proficiency and respects regional diversity. The mother tongue is advocated as the medium of instruction, aligning with the ethnic and linguistic composition of the region. In areas where other languages serve as the medium of instruction, Bengali is introduced as a subject from Class 1.


6. Holistic Development: The SEP underscores holistic development through rigorous coursework, extracurricular activities, and career guidance.

These reforms aim to elevate the quality of education in West Bengal, ensuring that students meet national and global standards. Introducing the mother tongue as the medium of instruction and the focus on marginalized communities highlight the state's commitment to inclusive and diverse education.

News Source: India Today