Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Bengal Considers Replacing Class 11 Phone Aid With Tablets
West Bengal gives Class 11 students money to help them buy mobile phones.
The government is considering giving them tablets for studying instead.
Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari said children are using phones too much.
He believes this can seriously harm young people.
He also said students should not use phones in schools.
The government may provide more money if tablets cost more.
The idea was announced during the launch of a bicycle program called Sarathi.
Sarathi replaces an older program called Sabuj Sathi.
The government has not yet announced a final decision.
West Bengal is considering replacing its Rs 10,000 Class 11 mobile-phone assistance with grants for education-related tablets.
Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari said excessive phone use was causing serious harm to schoolchildren.
Adhikari said he strongly opposed students using mobile phones in schools and that the issue was under review.
The proposal was announced at the launch of the Sarathi bicycle-distribution scheme in Byantra, Howrah.
Sarathi replaces the Sabuj Sathi project introduced by the Trinamool Congress government.
- Who
- West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, along with state education officials, announced the proposal.
- What
- The state may replace Rs 10,000 mobile-phone assistance for Class 11 students with funding for education-related tablets.
- When
- The proposal was announced on Tuesday; Adhikari had also raised concerns about phone use on September 5.
- Where
- The announcement was made at a programme in Byantra, Howrah.
- Why
- The government is concerned that excessive mobile-phone use is harming schoolchildren and affecting their education.
- Proposed change
- Education-related tablets could replace mobile phones under the Class 11 assistance programme.
- Existing assistance
- Class 11 students previously received Rs 10,000 in January to purchase mobile phones.
- Announced by
- West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari.
- Main concern
- Excessive mobile-phone use among schoolchildren.
- New bicycle scheme
- Sarathi was launched to distribute bicycles to students.
- Replaced scheme
- Sarathi replaces Sabuj Sathi, introduced by the Trinamool Congress government.
- Related comparison
- Adhikari referred to restrictions on student mobile-phone use in Gujarat up to Class 12.