Degrees Without Classes? 450 Bengal B.Ed Colleges Face Notices

More than 450 B.Ed colleges across West Bengal have been served show-cause notices following a state-wide inspection that reportedly uncovered serious irregularities in infrastructure, academic functioning and attendance. The action comes amid allegations that some institutions were allowing students to obtain B.Ed degrees without attending regular classes.

Higher Education Minister Jagannath Chattopadhyay said inspections were carried out at all 602 B.Ed colleges in the state during July and August. The exercise was initiated after the state government received a complaint alleging that students from outside West Bengal were travelling to the state to obtain professional degrees without attending classes.

The inspection findings have raised concerns about the functioning of a large number of teacher-training institutions. The colleges were assessed on a 100-point matrix covering infrastructure, teaching arrangements, faculty attendance and other academic requirements. The average score across the institutions was reportedly only 51.5.

Among the more serious findings, 53 colleges were allegedly found to have no physical existence at their registered addresses. Some premises were locked, while others were being used for purposes unrelated to B.Ed education. In another 17 cases, colleges had reportedly been issued No Objection Certificates at residential addresses, including flats and drawing rooms.

The inspection also classified 265 institutions as non-functional or unfit to operate as proper teacher-training colleges. Another 121 colleges were found to have significant infrastructure-related deficiencies, while 114 institutions scored below 30 out of 100. In contrast, 151 colleges secured scores between 65 and 85 and were considered comparatively satisfactory.

The allegations surrounding the sale of degrees have added another layer to the controversy. The minister claimed that students from states including Goa and several northeastern states were enrolling in predominantly Bengali-medium B.Ed colleges despite allegedly not attending classes regularly. He questioned how students unfamiliar with Bengali could complete a regular academic programme under such circumstances.

However, the allegations of a “cash-for-degree” system remain claims at this stage and are not, by themselves, proof that every college issued a notice was involved in selling degrees. The show-cause process is expected to give the institutions an opportunity to explain the findings and respond to the allegations.

The issue carries wider implications, with around 62,000 B.Ed degrees reportedly being awarded in West Bengal every year. Concerns over the quality and legitimacy of teacher-training programmes could therefore have a direct bearing on the standard of school education in the state.

The colleges have been given 21 days to respond to the notices and explain the steps taken to address the deficiencies. Institutions whose explanations are deemed unsatisfactory could face strict action, including a halt to admissions and possible de-affiliation.

Chattopadhyay has also announced plans for a white paper examining alleged corruption in the education sector over the past 15 years. The findings are expected to be placed before a commission headed by Justice Biswajit Basu.

The notices have now put the onus on the colleges to account for the deficiencies flagged during the inspections. Their responses could determine the next course of action, including possible restrictions on admissions or de-affiliation for institutions found to be seriously non-compliant.