KOLKATA: Education minister Partha Chatterjee has approved the recommendation to keep colleges and universities closed till June 30, as was suggested by the West Bengal Vice-Chancellors’ Council on Friday. Along with schools, all academic activities will remain suspended in the education institutes across the state in the first phase of “unlocking” the country. The decision has, however, raised doubts over holding the West Bengal Higher Secondary Examination on June 29, as was announced by the government. A call will have to be taken by the Mamata Banerjee-led government on the issue next week.
On Sunday, the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) instructed examiners, who have not yet submitted their allotted answer scripts and marks to the head examiners, to do so within 48 hours. “It must be treated as urgent,” the communiqué to teachers said. The head examiners have also been instructed to submit their balance marks to the regional office or to the office of the deputy secretary (examination) within 48 hours of receiving the answer scripts.
“If necessary, examiners and head examiners can carry their appointment letters or the instruction from the Madhyamik Board when travelling to submit the answer scripts,” said a WBBSE official, adding, “We are yet to receive around 10% of the scripts, which is delaying the results. We aim to publish the Madhyamik results by the beginning of July.”
Earlier, after the West Bengal Vice-Chancellors’ Council had sent a proposal to the state, suggesting keeping institutions closed till June 30, several VCs estimated that the first-year classes in the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes could only begin in October, delaying the academic session further.
The minister on Sunday also mentioned that 7,000 schools were being converted into quarantine centres for migrant labourers returning to Bengal.
“Education secretary Manish Jain will seek financial assistance from the Centre for the loss incurred by the education institutes during Amphan,” said Chatterjee.
On Sunday, the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) instructed examiners, who have not yet submitted their allotted answer scripts and marks to the head examiners, to do so within 48 hours. “It must be treated as urgent,” the communiqué to teachers said. The head examiners have also been instructed to submit their balance marks to the regional office or to the office of the deputy secretary (examination) within 48 hours of receiving the answer scripts.
“If necessary, examiners and head examiners can carry their appointment letters or the instruction from the Madhyamik Board when travelling to submit the answer scripts,” said a WBBSE official, adding, “We are yet to receive around 10% of the scripts, which is delaying the results. We aim to publish the Madhyamik results by the beginning of July.”
Earlier, after the West Bengal Vice-Chancellors’ Council had sent a proposal to the state, suggesting keeping institutions closed till June 30, several VCs estimated that the first-year classes in the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes could only begin in October, delaying the academic session further.
The minister on Sunday also mentioned that 7,000 schools were being converted into quarantine centres for migrant labourers returning to Bengal.
“Education secretary Manish Jain will seek financial assistance from the Centre for the loss incurred by the education institutes during Amphan,” said Chatterjee.
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