REPORT STYMIES STUDY REVAMP 

Calcutta, June 7 :    Calcutta, June 7:  Chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's plans to revamp the education system within this year appear uncertain, with the committee his government set up last year for conducting a study on the purpose failing to submit its report in time. The 13-member committee, headed by Ranjugopal Mukherjee, vice-chancellor, North Bengal University, had been asked to complete its report by May and submit it to the government by the first week of this month. But sources in the education department said it would not be possible for the panel to complete the report before September, as its members are yet to conduct inspections in the districts. Sources in the government said the chief minister has expressed serious concern over the delay and directed Mukherjee to prepare the report as early as possible.To expedite matters, the government has set up a temporary office in south Calcutta. Admitting that inspections are yet to be conducted, Mukherjee said: "As per the conditions laid by the government, the committee is valid for a year. Since it was set up in October last year, the last date for submission of the report is September 30. The committee had enough time to prepare the report." However, sources in the government said though the panel was valid for a year, it was asked to submit the report within April 2002, and latest, by the first week of June. Sources said the chief minister is believed to be worried over the delay specially because he had taken a special initiative to introduce vocational courses at the Madhyamik level. A review of vocational education and suggestions for its revamp was one of the main thrust areas of the committee. At present, vocational courses are taught at the Higher Secondary level in less than 20 schools. The government plans to introduce such courses in state-aided schools too. The members who had been assigned to conduct the study on vocational education have completed their job. But the government cannot take any decision on their suggestions as, going by the rules, the government cannot take a decision on the basis of the findings of a part of the panel.