Kolkata, May 23: West Bengal is set to overhaul the selection process for school governing bodies by introducing an election-based system aimed at reducing political influence and strengthening accountability in state-run institutions.
Under a proposed framework prepared by the state school education department, members of governing bodies in government schools will be chosen through elections rather than nomination, marking a shift from the existing system followed earlier. The move seeks to address concerns over political interference in school administration.
The proposal specifies that the headmaster or headmistress of the respective school will serve as the secretary of the governing body by default, remaining the only position exempt from the electoral process.
According to officials, more than 70 per cent of the governing body positions will be reserved for guardians of students enrolled in the school. The posts of chairperson and vice-chairperson will also be allocated to guardians, giving them a decisive role in institutional decision-making.
The remaining positions, accounting for about 30 per cent, will be assigned to local academicians. Additionally, two locally elected public representatives will be included in the governing body, provided they are elected as members under the same system.
The proposed structure also introduces restrictions on tenure and re-election. The term of the governing bodies will extend beyond two years. Members who have served in one term will not be eligible to contest in the immediate subsequent term, although this restriction will not apply to the secretary position.
The government also plans to standardise the size of governing bodies across different school levels. Primary schools will have a maximum of 15 members, secondary schools 20 members, and higher secondary schools up to 25 members.
The reform has drawn a positive response from sections of the education community. Teacher associations indicated that the proposed system could help reduce political involvement in school management and bring decision-making closer to stakeholders directly linked with students.
Chandan Kumar Maiti, general secretary of the Advanced Society for Headmasters and Headmistresses, said the proposal aligns with the broader recommendations of the National Education Policy and expressed optimism about its implementation.
Swapan Mondal, general secretary of the Bangiya Shikkhok and Shikkhakormi Samiti, stated that the shift towards elections is expected to limit political influence in governing bodies and improve institutional functioning.
The proposed changes reflect a broader attempt to restructure governance in schools by increasing stakeholder participation and introducing a more transparent selection mechanism.
