To ensure the success of the programme of universal primary education , the State Government has provided for an additional Rs. 100 crores in the current year’s Budget. The task is gigantic as 8,000 new primary schools will have to be built . The panchayats be completing the work of building 3,000 primary schools during the current academic year. Along with the efforts of the panchayats another 1,000 primary schools will be opened in the current academic year. The announcement was made by the Chief Minister, Jyoti Basy after a high level meeting in Calcutta on Monday. Besides Jyoti Basu , Ministers of Information, Education ,Libraries ,Health, Panchayat were present.. Benoy Chowdhury, president State Resources Centre and Biman Bose, Executive President , Bangiya Saksharata Samiti, were also present. The District Magistrates and the Sabhadhipatis also attended the meeting.

According to the State’s Finance Minister , Ashim Dasgupta there are 52,000 primary schools in West Bengal . For implementration of the programme of universal primary education, another 8,000 new schools will have to be opened. Work on 3,000 of these schools are on and a decision has been taken to build 1,000 more . The honorarium of primary school teachers is being increased to Rs. 1,000 from the present Rs.800 a month. These teachers will be appointed by the panchayats on a contract basis. These contracts will have to be renewed each year.

The State Government is also laying stress on reviving the literacy programme and bringing the adult literates to the post –literacy centres for further training in all the districts. Chief Minister has asked the 24 Government departments like Education, Health, PHE, PWD, Library, Information & Cultural, Technical Education to work in a coordinated manner. Left Front Govt. has the intention to suppliment the education with vocational training. State Govt. is also considering the proposal for issuance of health Card for the children to give them minimum protection.