6 days ago
West Bengal Schools to Add Mookerjee Lessons From 2027
West Bengal plans to teach students about Syama Prasad Mookerjee from the 2027 academic year.
The plan covers state-aided schools, colleges and universities.
Schools and colleges may also hold programmes about his life and work.
The National Library will collect books and old documents about him.
The government may also seek related records from Parliament.
Supporters say students should understand his contribution to education and West Bengal’s history.
Some educators say his role has not been taught enough.
Another teachers’ leader disagreed and said Mookerjee’s record should be considered before adding him to the syllabus.
The state is also considering memorials and academic collaborations connected with him.
West Bengal will include Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s life, contributions and legacy in state-aided school, college and university curricula from the 2027 academic session.
Institutions have been asked to organise academic and outreach programmes and submit action-taken reports.
The National Library will collect and preserve books, documents and archival records related to Mookerjee.
The government has proposed seeking parliamentary speeches, debates and documents, subject to rules and permissions.
Supporters say students should learn about Mookerjee’s role in education and Bengal’s history, while one teachers’ leader questioned his inclusion.
- Who
- The West Bengal government, educational institutions and a high-powered committee chaired by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari are involved; the proposal concerns Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee.
- What
- Schools, colleges and universities will be asked to include Mookerjee’s life, contributions and legacy in their curricula from the 2027 academic session.
- Where
- State-aided educational institutions in West Bengal, with proposed archival and academic collaborations involving Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Myanmar.
- When
- From the 2027 academic session, ahead of Mookerjee’s 125th birth anniversary.
- Why
- The government says students should learn about Mookerjee’s historical contributions, ideals and legacy, following recommendations of the high-powered committee.
Supporters of inclusion
Critics of inclusion
Whether Mookerjee belongs in the curriculum
Supporters of inclusion
Supporters say students should learn about Mookerjee’s contributions to education, the history of Bengal and the preservation of West Bengal, arguing that his role has been insufficiently represented.
Critics of inclusion
Primary Teachers Council general secretary Ananda Handa questioned the move, saying Mookerjee supported the British and should not be included without considering that record.
Approach to historical education
Supporters of inclusion
Syllabus-cum-Curriculum Committee chairperson Debashis Chatterjee said education should be viewed academically rather than through the lens of a political party, so students can understand historical significance and draw lessons from it.
Critics of inclusion
Critics implied that curriculum space should be reserved for figures who played a clearly crucial and appropriately evaluated role, rather than being added through a government directive.
Key facts
- Implementation date
- 2027 academic session
- Institutions covered
- State-aided schools, colleges and universities
- Related occasion
- Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s 125th birth anniversary
- Archival repository
- The National Library has been asked to collect and preserve books, documents and archival records about Mookerjee.
- Student programmes
- Academic and outreach programmes involving students, teachers and academic professionals have been requested.
- Proposed collaborations
- The state is considering international academic chairs in Mookerjee’s name at institutions in Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Myanmar.
- Campus commemorations
- Busts, statues or other commemorative representations may be installed at identified campuses where appropriate.
Quotes
Information and Cultural Affairs Department
The state department that issued the communication on curriculum inclusion.
“In accordance with the decisions of the High-Powered Committee constituted under the chairmanship of the Hon’ble Chief Minister for the observance of the 125th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, you are requested to take necessary steps… for the befitting inclusion of topics relating to the life, contributions and legacy of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee in the curricula at the school, college and university levels.”
indianexpress.com
Prof. Debashis Chatterjee
Chairperson of the Syllabus-cum-Curriculum Committee.
“Education is not about any particular political party; it is about society and its future. He made significant contributions to the field of education and also brought Rabindranath Tagore to deliver a speech in Bengali. He played an important role in shaping West Bengal and held meetings to make people aware of the importance of preserving West Bengal”
indianexpress.com
Ananda Handa
General secretary of the Primary Teachers Council.
“Students should be taught about icons who played a crucial role, but we see that Syama Prasad Mookerjee supported the British, so I feel it should not be included in the syllabus”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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