The education sector in West Bengal received an impetus with significant investments announced in the two-day 8th Bengal Global Business Summit, which concluded on Friday in the city’s New Town area.
The Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed in the education sector include one between the West Bengal government and the British Council to bolster educational and career opportunities in the State, besides cultural exchange between West Bengal and the UK.
According to a statement by the British Council, key areas of collaboration in the MoU are facilitating English language learning in schools, reforming university curricula and internationalising higher education in the State, and assisting in skill development among the youth through joint initiatives and programmes.
Additionally, Sardar Taranjit Singh, Managing Director of JIS Group, promised a total investment of ₹450 crore “to develop state-of-the-art infrastructure, enhance recruitment, and improve the quality of education in the State”.
“At JIS Group, we are committed to transforming the educational landscape of West Bengal. As part of this vision, ₹200 crore will be dedicated to strengthening JIS University, while ₹250 crore will be allocated to the establishment of Rishi Aurobindo University at Mogra,” Mr. Singh told The Hindu.
He also announced that JIS College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, one of the first private veterinary colleges in West Bengal, will begin its academic sessions this year. “This marks a significant milestone in specialised education,” Mr. Singh said.
Spurt in Universities
According to a government report, the number of universities in the State since the Trinamool Congress came to power in 2011 has increased from 12 to 47. While 53 new government-run and government-aided colleges were started in the last 14 years, 756 private and self-financed colleges and 11 new private universities were established.
These include institutions geared towards specialised education, like technical education, medical education, animal resource development and agriculture.
Government reports suggest a giant leap in budget allocation in the education sector, from ₹829 crore in 2010-2011 to ₹9,924 crore in 2023-24 in school education, and from ₹120 crore to ₹1311.40 crore in 2023-2024.
Private investments in schools have also reportedly increased significantly to ₹5,054.07 crore in 2023.
Experts like economist and former professor at the Indian Statistical Institute Abhirup Sarkar welcomed these initiatives. “Private investment in education is becoming a necessity. The government is unable to bear the huge cost of quality education. However, there should be enough scholarships to help the needy but talented students,” he said.
Energy and healthcare sectors too won massive boost. “In addition to the ₹40,000 crore that we have invested in the State, we have another ₹10,000 crore in the pipeline under implementation in the fields of energy, healthcare and education. I frankly believe in putting my money where my mouth is,” said Sanjiv Goenka, chairperson of RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group.
Published – February 08, 2025 01:10 am IST