West Bengal chief minister pushes phone ban, pass-fail grading and NCC revival in schools

Suvendu Adhikari, West Bengal’s chief minister, affirmed the state’s commitment to implement the National Education Policy and the recommendations of the syllabus-cum-curriculum committee once its report is submitted. He advocated for a ban on mobile phones in schools, a return to a pass-fail grading model, and the reinstatement of the National Cadet Corps. Adhikari also called for the National Service Scheme and greater emphasis on physical and cultural programs such as music and debate.

Committee chair Debashis Chatterjee suggested adding lessons on Syama Prasad Mookerjee and removing references to the Singur movement from the Class 8 history syllabus. Headmasters’ association general secretary Chandan Maiti praised the move to scrap the no-detention policy but warned that scaling NSS will require substantial funding and infrastructure.