One of the main objectives of Universalization of Elementary Education (UEE) is to ensure enrolment of all children in the age group of 6+ to 14+ in age appropriate class. For these purpose 880 New Primary and 6043 New Upper Primary Schools have been set up to cover all eligible habitations. Since 2013 a Pre-Primary Section for children of 5+ age has been introduced in all Government, Government aided and Government sponsored Primary Schools under the Department of School Education of West Bengal. The number of children never-enrolled or drop-outs was reduced considerably. However, steps are taken to enrol these children in formal schools.
Average Drop-out rate in both Primary (i.e. class I-IV) and Upper Primary (i.e. Class V to VIII) level were also reduced to ‘zero’ level.
To ensure UEE and to retain all the children in schools the Department of School Education, Government of West Bengal, adopted several effective measures. After Construction of a good number of Additional Class Rooms, the Student Class Room Ratio at Elementary level becomes 28.68.
Recruitment of regular teachers at primary level has resulted to the Pupil Teacher Ratio of 20.33 in Government, Government aided and Government sponsored schools under the Department of School Education.
It has also been ensured that all Government, Government aided and Government sponsored school under the Department of School Education have at least one functional Boys’ and one functional Girls’ toilet as the case may be.
KGVB: Under this scheme 92 hostels are operational with enrolment of 8497 (2390 -SC, 2384 -ST, 1090-OBC, 1738-Minority Community, and 895 belong to BPL).
The new curriculum, syllabus and text books developed by the Expert Committee are based on a set of principles that adhere to the spirit of equity and child centeredness that form the core of the NCF 2005 and the RTE Act 2009. The changes brought about in the new curriculum and text books are based on the following constructive ideals:
Special Training, a specially designed training for those Out of School Children who have been admitted in their age appropriate classes to bring them at par with their peers. Special training is imparted through specially designed material, through non-residential mode, by regular teachers, within the school premises for both Primary and Upper Primary level during normal school hours. Teachers in schools where Out of School Children are admitted are trained to impart the special training successfully so that those admitted Out of School Children are being mainstreamed.
Development and extension of physical infrastructure of the existing schools and providing fund to newly set up schools are the pre-requisites to universal access, enrolment, retention and achievement. Face lifting of the schools and creating child friendly environment of the Schools also help to achieve the goal of UEE respectively. Providing Additional Class Room, drinking water, toilet facility, boundary wall , CWSN Toilet, Incinerator for Girls' toilet and repair grant to school is another important factor of Civil Works.
The State Council of Educational Research & Training, Govt. of West Bengal (SCERT, WB) under Department of School Education , Government of West Bengal, guided by promoting innovations through its practices carries out specific tasks for quality improvement in School education in West Bengal. The SCERT (WB) aims at delivering dynamic and participatory interactions between teacher educators and teachers in various stages of school education on issues ranging from planning, research, and action programs to extension and evaluation. Most of the activities that SCERT (WB) performs are innovative in their various facets.
For more details please visit the SCERT website: www.scertwb.org
Kala Utsav is an initiative to promote arts in education by nurturing and showcasing the artistic talent of school students at the Secondary level. It will also play a major role in creating awareness of our rich cultural heritage and its vibrant diversity.
Kanyashree’s core objectives are simple and focussed: it aims to ensure that girls stay in school and restrict early marriages till at least the age of 18 years. Kanyashree’s approach is also simple: it uses a social safety net mechanism that has shown a high degree of success in transforming the lives of children and adolescents in several countries in the world. It is a process of Conditional Cash Transfer. The scheme has two cash transfer components :
Technical Education, Training and Skill Development Department (TET & SD Department), being nodal department for Technical and Vocational Education & Skill Development, is entrusted to implement the said scheme in West Bengal. The School Education Department of Govt. of West Bengal has extended necessary supports in terms of school infrastructure, mobilization of students through the school authorities and involved of State level School Education Board/Council for integrating vocational education with main stream school education at Secondary and Higher Secondary levels. Qualification Pack (QP) based on national occupational standards /Job Roles as designed by the respective Sector Skill Councils(SSCs) and curricula based on the same QP, developed by a NCERT Institute (PSSCIVE, Bhopal) were adopted in vocationalization of secondary and higher secondary education levels. Skill assessment and certification is being conducted by Sector Skill Councils. The assessors of SSCs are holding practical examination at school premises. Directorate of Vocational Education & Training (DVET) under Technical Education, Training and Skill Development Department is entrusted to implement the said vocational education component of RMSA in association with WBRMSA of School Education Department.
Reading is essentially a process of meaning making, so there is a need to develop the skill of reading with comprehension & writing and to help the children learn mathematics in a way that develops liking and understanding of the mathematics.
Keeping in mind the above fact, ‘Early Grade Reading and Numeracy’ (EGRaN) Programme has been introduced initially in class I and II and extended for Classes III & IV with the following objectives.
Developing skill of reading with comprehension and writing for: