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Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Eng-Beng-physics worry prompts ‘cluster' schools
1 2 3 Kolkata: The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education is set to introduce a cluster model for schools to address teacher shortage in the higher secondary section. The council conducted a survey of all subjects being taught in Plus-II at state schools and found that around 10,000-12,000 teachers are employed for English and Bengali for 16 lakh-odd students. The survey also revealed a teacher shortage in physics. The main reason behind the shortfall is the recent scrapping of jobs of 26,570 school staffers following a Supreme Court order, migration of teachers from rural schools to urban locations and retirements. To ensure that education is not affected till new teachers are recruited, especially after a semester system was introduced to Plus-II with several new subjects and courses, the state council has decided on launching the cluster system, likely from Oct. Under the cluster system, students at a school, without a teacher in a particular subject, will attend those particular classes with the students of a neighbouring school, which has a teacher in that subject. According to the plan, the joint classes will be held for seven schools, located within a radius of 3.5km-4 km. "Our aim is to provide quality education. We have introduced new science subjects that need more attention. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo So this system will help us ensure a good learning process without merging schools or transferring teachers," said council president Chiranjib Bhattacharya. Officials have completed the mapping of schools in Kolkata, North and South 24 Parganas, East and West Midnapore, East and West Burdwan, Howrah, and Hooghly. In each district, around 30 clusters have been identified, where they prepared subject- and course-wise clusters to address the teachers' shortage. The exercise will soon be extended to north Bengal. Council secretary Priyadarshini Mallick said, "The mapping of schools located in the districts in south Bengal has already been completed. We will have a meeting with the officials of regional offices to explain the plan so that the school heads in their respective districts, an be briefed about the format."
The Hindu
13-05-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
West Bengal introduces environmental science in schools
In a significant academic initiative aimed at nurturing environmental consciousness and academic interest in sustainability, the West Bengal government is set to introduce Environmental Science as a subject in its school curriculum. The move, which targets senior secondary students, is designed to equip them with early exposure and foundational knowledge in the field. The introduction will be phased, with the initial rollout covering schools in Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, and North and South 24 Parganas. The announcement, made in December 2024, has garnered considerable interest, with over 1,500 schools opting in ahead of the May 31 deadline. 'Until now, the higher secondary syllabus included Environmental Studies, which allocated 80% of marks for theory and 20% for project work. The new subject, Environmental Science, is being introduced with a revised structure — 70% theory and 30% practical — and will be treated as a core subject,' Dr. Priyadarshini Mallick, Secretary of the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education and architect of the initiative, told The Hindu. Also Read | Courses in Environmental and Sustainability Studies in the U.S. While Environmental Studies will continue to be available as an optional subject, Dr. Mallick underlined the enhanced relevance and future prospects of Environmental Science. 'Environmental Studies has limited academic or professional progression. Environmental Science, on the other hand, is recognised at undergraduate, postgraduate, and research levels, and figures in examinations like PSC, CSC, and UPSC. By introducing it in Class 11, we are laying a systematic and strategic foundation for students' future,' she said. The introduction has been well received by educators. Santanu Kundu, headmaster of Naihati Narendranath Vidyaniketan, remarked, 'The response from students has been very encouraging. Of the 210 science students enrolled in Class 11 this year, 40 have opted for Environmental Science. It provides a stronger academic base and a clearer pathway beyond school, unlike Environmental Studies.' Dr. Manas Kabi, Principal of Asutosh College, echoed the sentiment. 'Environmental Science is a growing area of global research and significance. It is heartening to see students in Bengal gaining access to it at the school level. The Council deserves appreciation for taking this forward-looking step.' Sayanti Kar, a member of the advisory committee for the subject, highlighted the broader impact. 'Environmental Science is a dynamic, multidisciplinary field. Introducing it early fosters not just academic engagement, but also a sense of responsibility. It prepares students to address environmental challenges and contribute to a sustainable future.' The introduction of Environmental Science marks a decisive step by the West Bengal government towards aligning school education with global sustainability goals and academic relevance in a changing world.
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
HS Council to train students for competitive exams
Kolkata: The West Bengal Council for Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE) is set to start a training programme aimed at preparing higher secondary students for entrance tests. This initiative is specifically designed for students aspiring to pursue careers in either engineering or medical Competitive Guidance Programme will provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their entrance examinations, and support them in achieving their academic and career president Chiranjib Bhattacharya said, "The objective is to provide science students training for appearing in entrance tests for engineering and medical disciplines. Schools have been identified from which students will attend this programme based on the results in science subjects in 2024. There are many students who couldn't get proper guidance for appearing in these tests because professional institutes charge a huge amount for it. But the council will provide it free of cost."The programme, to be introduced from Monday, will have around 200 students per day from 25 schools in Kolkata, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, and Howrah. This will continue until June 4. The training programme has been designed in such a way that, in the first few hours, students will be given classes for the respective subjects. Then, they will be given questions for mock tests, and, after the lunch break, a doubt-clearing session will be held based on the mock test results. HS council secretary Priyadarshini Mallick said, "There are many students who miss out on their dreams of becoming engineers or doctors due to financial constraints. Our aim is to provide them with a platform to get prepared for fulfilling their dreams. We have selected experts for respective subjects to guide students."Heads of different affiliating schools appreciated the initiative. This year, Devdutta Mahji and Archisman Nandy were among 10 perfect scorers of JEE Main. They had appeared for online mock tests organised by some professional institutes. Bappa Debnath, whose daughter is pursuing nursing, said, "She took training at a reputable centre before the medical entrance test. It was a huge financial pressure. If school boards take the responsibility, then this pressure will be alleviated." Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
