WB govt cracks whip on BEd colleges amid claims of irregularities, issues notices to over 450

The West Bengal government has started a statewide inspection of BEd colleges after allegations were reported of irregularities and poor academic standards. Jagannath Chattopadhyay, Higher Education Minister, said strict action will be taken against institutions that do not have the required infrastructure or are allegedly involved in issuing degrees through illegal means.

According to PTI reports, Chattopadhyay said, "The state government has already issued show-cause notices to over 450 BEd colleges following a large-scale inspection drive conducted across the state."

In the months of July and August, inspections were conducted across 602 BEd colleges in the state. Officials went and checked the colleges’ infrastructure, teaching activities, faculty attendance, and other academic facilities offered to the students.

The higher education department inspected the BEd colleges through a 100-point system that included parameters like academics and infrastructure. The colleges recorded an average score of only 51.5 out of 100.

The government started the inspection after a complaint was received from the chief secretary of a neighbouring state. The complaint said that students from outside West Bengal were obtaining BEd, polytechnic, ITI and pharmacy degrees by not attending regular classes and paying money.

53 BEd colleges missing from registered addresses

The inspection showed that ‘53 BEd colleges did not exist at their registered addresses’. Some premises were being used for different purposes, while others were found locked. Officials also found that 17 colleges were registered or had received no-objection certificates using addresses of flats.

Chattopadhyay also alleged that many institutions were functional from the same premises by just replacing signboards. Overall, 114 colleges have scored below 30 marks, which has raised concerns about their condition.

The department also classified 265 institutions as non-functional, while the infrastructure of another 121 colleges was poor. Only 151 colleges scored between 65 and 85 marks and had satisfactory infrastructure.

WB issues around 62,000 BEd degrees every year

Students from other states like Goa, northeastern and neighbouring states were enrolling in West Bengal BEd colleges, and might not attend classes regularly. These students were also allowed to appear for examinations and receive degrees without completing the attendance requirement. This is a serious issue pointed out during the inspection.

According to Jagannath Chattopadhyay, around 62,000 BEd degrees are being awarded in West Bengal every year. The minister further questioned how students from non-Bengali-speaking regions can finish a BEd course at Bengali-medium institutions. Chattopadhyay highlighted in a press meet institution who do not follow educational and infrastructure requirements can face strict action.

PTI reports that “The government served the colleges with show-cause notices to rectify the deficiencies, adhering to the principles of natural justice. If their replies are found unsatisfactory, the government may initiate stringent measures, including stopping admissions and recommending or initiating de-affiliation of the institutions.”