West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday firmly rejected the proposal to introduce a semester system in primary schools and reprimanded Education Minister Bratya Basu for making the plan public without her prior approval. Speaking at a review meeting with ministers and top bureaucrats at the state secretariat, Banerjee expressed her displeasure over the matter and emphasized that such decisions should be made in consultation with her.
Banerjee clearly stated that the semester system would not be implemented in primary schools, pointing out that it would add unnecessary pressure on young children. “This (semester system in primary schools) will not happen here. I do not want to put unnecessary pressure on children but want to reduce the weight of their school bags. This cannot be applicable to primary school students who cannot even talk properly. Whatever system is there in schools would go on. There will not be any semester system in schools,” she said. She further clarified that such a system could continue in colleges and universities, where students are already familiar with it.
The Chief Minister also criticized Minister Basu for discussing the proposal publicly without consulting the state leadership. “I did not know nor did the chief secretary about the introduction of the semester system in primary classes. I have seen this in the newspaper. Look, Bratya, you are an education minister but please remember that if there is a new policy decision, then please consult us,” Banerjee added.
In response, Minister Basu explained that he too had seen the proposal in the press and had sent it to the chief secretary for review. He assured that no decision would be made without Banerjee's approval. "How did it reach the media? Four advisors have taken a decision and it was placed," Banerjee remarked during the meeting.
Basu later informed the media that the proposal had been sent by the board of primary education to the Education Department, and since Banerjee had clearly rejected it, the matter would not proceed further. He also reminded the media that a similar semester system had been implemented at the higher secondary level after receiving the Chief Minister's approval.
