Unfulfilled University Dreams
West Bengal's ambition to decentralize quality higher education beyond Kolkata, as envisioned in 2017-18 with the announcement of 11 'dream' universities,
has largely fallen short of its aspirations. A recent assessment reveals a disheartening scenario where seven of these projected institutions are yet to establish permanent campuses. Furthermore, a significant number struggle with a deficiency of permanent faculty members, and many only recently acquired the necessary statutory recognition in January. This initiative, intended to broaden access to higher learning, has unfortunately evolved into a troubling display of grandiose promises lacking concrete implementation and credible infrastructure, raising serious questions about the state's commitment to educational development and its ability to deliver on critical infrastructure projects.
Governance and Trust Deficit
The current state of higher education in West Bengal is deeply intertwined with broader governance challenges that have eroded public trust. The prominent teacher-recruitment scam, which implicated several senior figures within the Trinamool Congress government, significantly damaged the system's integrity. Compounding these issues, a protracted dispute between the Governor, who serves as the ex-officio chancellor of state universities, and the Chief Minister created administrative paralysis, stalling crucial decision-making processes. This institutional gridlock, occurring during a period when, as the Governor assured, 'education must be treated as a no-conflict zone,' has severely hampered the effective functioning of educational institutions and contributed to a decline in West Bengal's once-esteemed academic standing, despite the continued excellence of select institutions like Jadavpur University.
Stagnant Enrollment and Funding
The decline in West Bengal's higher education landscape is further underscored by its Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), which stood at 26.3 percent in 2021-2022, lagging behind the national average of 28.4 percent for the same period. This stagnation is exacerbated by a noticeable reduction in the financial allocation towards education in the state's budget. The share dedicated to education in the 2025-26 Budget marked a decrease from previous years, signaling a potential de-prioritization of this critical sector. This trend is particularly disheartening for a state historically recognized for its intellectual prowess, and it poses a significant risk of alienating the young population that the ruling party's development agenda aims to engage and empower, by limiting their access to quality learning and future opportunities.
