A new state education policy continues with the existing plus-II system at the school level, unlike the National Education Policy that clubs Classes IX to XII into one secondary level.
Notified on Saturday, the policy maintains a clear distinction between the secondary level and the higher secondary level.
Classes IX to X denote the secondary level with students in the age group of 14-16 years. Classes XI to XII denote the higher secondary level with students in the age group of 16-18 years.
Education minister Bratya Basu had tweeted on May 31 (it was not X then): “We are opposed to various elements of the NEP like the 5+3+3+4 design in school education and have not inducted these in the state education policy.”
In the 5+3+3+4 system, a student will spend five years in the foundational stage, three years in the preparatory stage, three years in the middle stage and four years in the
secondary stage.
The state education policy follows the 4+4+2+2 system where a student will spend four years in primary Classes I-IV (6-10 year age group); four years in upper primary classes V to VIII (10-14 years); two years in secondary classes IX-X (14-16 years); and two years in the higher secondary level (16-18 years).
At the start of the school year, there is a slight change.
The state education policy says: “The only change suggested in the structure of school education is the inclusion of the first two years of early education at an Anganwadi centre. This would be followed by one year of pre-primary at a government or private pre-primary school.”
Aveek Majumdar, the chairperson of the committee which drafted the state’s policy, said in urban areas the municipalities and the urban development department would be asked to facilitate the early years of education.
The central policy splits the foundation level into two tiers — Anganwadi/pre-school for three years followed by Classes I and II for two years.
The Bengal policy says a three-language formula will be applicable for the upper primary level (Classes V to VIII)
“The three-language formula shall be applicable for upper primary level only...,” it says.
The policy also makes it clear that the state government will not impose Bengali on school students through the three-language formula.
The Telegraph reported on August 8 that two BJP lawmakers raised the “language imposition” issue in the Darjeeling hills a day after the state cabinet approved a draft education policy that, among other things, contained details of the three-language formula.
The policy says: “It is suggested that the first language (mother tongue) would be the medium of instruction of the school....”
“Second language may be English (in non-English medium) or any language other than first language.... The third language may be any other language opted by the student....”