‘Fix schools, create jobs’: West Bengal voters cut through election noise with education, employment demands

West Bengal Election 2026: “Why do we have to buy similar books when textbooks are already supplied by the government?” says Tamanna, whose husband lays bricks for a living. This year, the couple has spent Rs 2,000 on textbooks the West Bengal government was supposed to provide free. Across the state, voters say the promise of free education comes loaded with hidden costs, and they want the next government to close the gap.

Tamanna is not alone. Sima Oraon, mother of two girls, said she spent Rs 4,000 on books this year – demands that arrived not at the beginning of the session, but mid-year, without warning. Parents say this defeats the purpose of free school education support and increases pressure on low-income households like them.

Uniforms and mid-day meals are held up as proof by the state government that schooling costs nothing. But when demands for workbooks and study material land term after term, low-income households bear a burden the policy was designed to remove.

West Bengal has just concluded its legislative assembly elections, held in two phases. The discussions on the ground went beyond candidates and coalition to schools, higher education, jobs and the everyday cost of promises that have not been kept.

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West Bengal: Staff crunch, outdated classrooms

The burden is not just financial. Inside the classrooms, educators say the system is stretched thin and falling behind.

“Jobs remain one of the biggest motivations for continuing education. If students can see a clear path from school to employment, dropout rates are likely to come down”, said Anamika Chakraborti, science teacher in Bhatenda Annakali Girls High School, Rajarhat. Teachers say there is an urgent need to improve the education system so that more students get the chance to pursue higher studies and secure employment.

They also believe that students need stronger motivation and encouragement to stay interested in studies. “Schools should introduce better schemes and support systems that make learning more engaging,” said Bipasha Ghosh*.

Teachers said the new government should ensure safety for students. “ Girl students must feel safe in schools and while travelling, as safety remains a key concern for many families,” added Ghosh.

Another major issue raised by teachers is the need for regular training and upskilling. “We the teachers must be trained to know and understand the learning styles of Gen Z students,” said Chakraborti, adding, “Continuous professional development and modern teaching methods are necessary to improve classroom learning.”

Teachers also point to the shortage of staff in schools. They want fresh recruitment of both teaching and non-teaching staff, saying that vacancies are affecting the smooth functioning of many institutions. “ Recruiting permanent teaching and non-teaching staff should be started at the earliest,” said Ghosh.

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West Bengal: Jobs a concern for first-time voters

Among those casting their votes for the first time, the concern is generational. Arijit Bhattacharya, a first time voter and a law student said that the next government must focus on restoring confidence in public education and creating jobs.

“Many schools have shut down and parents are increasingly forced to spend large sums on private education because government school infrastructure is weak in several areas. If government schools functioned well, many families could save money,” he said.

He also said that many students leave school after Class 8, while others migrate outside the state in search of work. “Even graduates are often taking up gig work because stable employment opportunities are limited,” added Bhattacharya.

Higher education: West Bengal colleges, universities

Bengal’s academic community also reflected concerns over both the future of higher education and the electoral process. Concerns ranged from poor infrastructure for universities and colleges, faculty crunch and strong placements.

Saptarshi Konar, professor of molecular biology at Kalyani University, said the problem in the education sector lay not in policy but in execution. “The rules and regulations are okay but there is no implementation,” he said. “Most of the students are going out. So the number of students in West Bengal universities is gradually decreasing.”

Konar said universities needed better infrastructure and stronger placement systems. “Infrastructural development is important. Also, placements need to be worked on. Specifically for the state universities. We need to create jobs.”

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Amit Roy, secretary of Science College, Calcutta University, raised concerns over the electoral process and voter management. “ West Bengal SIR was not at all needed. The names of so many genuine voters were lost. The voter list is full of mistakes.”

“We can only hope for a government which will work for the common man and not for those who have money,” he said.

Speaking about education and the country’s future, Roy said the focus should be on strengthening public institutions, expanding access to quality education and creating equal opportunities. He said progress would only be meaningful if students from ordinary families could study without financial burden and find employment eventually.