West Bengal’s once-reputed educational institutions that have at one time produced some of India’s best known faces, both leaders and scholars, is now plagued by frequent campus violence, mass copying, irregularities in admission procedures, frequent student protests over trivial matters.Jadavpur University remained the epicentre of a massive student agitation that led to the unprecedented step of its vice chancellor being asked to resign by the Chief minister Mamata Banerjee when she made an unannounced visit to the university.The students’ movement, that had widespread resonance with many of the Jadavpur University alumnui across the globe expressing solidarity, had its roots in a demand by students for an independent probe into the alleged molestation of a female pupil. A subsequent “violent” police crackdown on the agitating students gradually snowballed, resulting in vice chancellor Abhijit Chakrabrti stepping down in the face of what he called an “undemocratic” and “unconstitutional” stir initiated by “politically-affiliated” students. 

Academic circles in the university claim that the VC resigned because of the non-cooperation of a section of teachers close to the ruling Trinamool Congress that is blamed for for politicising the educational system in the state.Educationists Sunanda Sanyal and Pabitra Sarkar too admitted students were increasingly becoming “habitual agitators” and squarely blamed the Trinamool for this.When and where all this “educational anarchy” will end no one knows, but increasingly talented young people with some means are leaving the state to find better and more conducive educational and job opportunities outside the state, to the south, west and north of the country, as West Bengal rapidly assumes the reputation of a “failed state” amongst its own people.

The Karnataka government has decided to amend the rules pertaining to the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, to make Kannada the medium of instruction up to class 5. The amendment Bill will be introduced in the legislature session beginning 2^nd February.The cabinet took a unanimous decision to amend the Karnataka Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules, 2012, framed in tune with the state policy.A curative petition is pending before the Supreme Court’s order on the medium of instruction. 

Law minister TB Jayachandra told reporters after the cabinet meeting, “At present, the Act stipulates the medium of instruction should be the mother tongue. The government plans to replace it with Kannada, The cabinet took the decision after the SC quashed the state government’s policy that Kannada should be the compulsory medium of instruction in primary schools. Later, the court overturned a review petition, forcing the government to file a curative petition. Now, the government faces rejection of the curative petition, seeking a relook at some aspects it had raised but were not considered in the SC’s final verdict on the language policy. The cabinet unanimously emphasized the importance of teaching in Kannada. We decided to stand by it by amending the rules and sending out a loud and clear message.” He said the government can amend the Act, since education features on the Constitution’s concurrent list. Jayachandra argued that some neighbouring states have amended their Education Act to make their respective state languages the medium of instruction in primary schools.According to the minister, chief minister Siddaramaiah had written twice to the PM, seeking a common law for all states adding that amending the law was the only choice left.