West Bengal’s increased schooling The system is more and more being outlined by an uncommon characteristic: an exceptionally excessive reliance on momentary academics. Whereas contractual and ad-hoc college aren’t unusual throughout Indian universities, the size noticed in West Bengal is way past the nationwide norm. Proof from the All India Survey on Increased Training (AISHE) reveals that this isn’t a short-term administrative adjustment, however a persistent structural characteristic of the system.
The chart beneath captures the magnitude of the problem. Over the previous decade, the share of momentary academics in West Bengal has constantly remained above 15%, far exceeding that of some other main state. In 2021-22, whereas Rajasthan (1.25%), Tamil Nadu (2.84%), and even Uttar Pradesh (6%) reported comparatively modest shares, West Bengal stood at a putting 18%. In absolute phrases too, the State leads, with over 13,200 momentary academics — increased than Karnataka (11,300), which ranks second.
The skew is even sharper alongside gender traces. Non permanent appointments account for 22.5% of all feminine academics within the state, in comparison with 15.4% for males. The subsequent highest share of feminine momentary academics amongst main states is simply 7.8%.
Whereas the newest knowledge from AISHE can be found solely as much as 2021-22, the insights they reveal are nonetheless related. Structural options of upper schooling programs akin to institutional capability, hiring practices, and workforce composition are likely to evolve slowly. As such, the developments noticed are unlikely to have reversed dramatically within the brief span since, and proceed to supply useful insights.
A typical rationalization for the unusually excessive share of momentary academics in West Bengal might be that such reliance stems from a freeze in everlasting recruitment. Nonetheless, knowledge doesn’t assist this declare. Development in everlasting educating positions in West Bengal has fluctuated between 8% and 15% yearly — neither stagnant nor unusually low relative to different States. Moreover, we see that the expansion of momentary and everlasting academics in West Bengal has moved broadly in tandem.
An alternate line of inquiry is whether or not this sample displays a demand-side stress, particularly whether or not a better Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) in West Bengal has outpaced the system’s potential to develop everlasting college. Nonetheless, a comparability of GER throughout States suggests in any other case. West Bengal’s GER (26.3% in 2021-22) will not be significantly excessive; in reality, it lies in the direction of the decrease finish of the spectrum, with States like Tamil Nadu (47%), and even Rajasthan (28.6%) outperforming by a margin.
The issue, subsequently, lies elsewhere — on the availability facet of upper schooling.
Strained numbers
West Bengal has not been in a position to develop its institutional capability in step with rising demand. Between 2017-18 and 2020-21, the variety of establishments grew by simply 10.83%, effectively beneath different States with comparatively weaker instructional infrastructure, akin to Rajasthan (23.5%), Madhya Pradesh (21%), and Uttar Pradesh (19%). This restricted enlargement has resulted in a heavy burden on present establishments. With roughly 1,100 college students per institute, West Bengal ranks second within the nation, behind Delhi, and much above most different States.
This pressure is additional mirrored in educating capability. The pupil-teacher ratio within the state ranges between 29 and 35 — among the many poorest in India.
In comparison with many different main states, the variety of everlasting college per one lakh college students can be low in West Bengal (257). These indicators converge on a single conclusion: there are merely not sufficient establishments or everlasting academics to satisfy the demand for increased schooling.
On this context, the proliferation of momentary academics seems much less a coverage selection and extra a coping mechanism. An extreme reliance on momentary academics could have a fiscal incentive from the State’s perspective within the brief run, but it surely has sure long-term penalties on the well being of the upper schooling system. By design, such positions supply restricted job safety, decrease pay, and little scope for analysis or skilled improvement.
This could adversely have an effect on educating high quality, as instructors juggling a number of appointments could have much less time and decrease incentive for pupil engagement or curriculum improvement. A system that relies upon closely on precarious employment dangers disincentivizing people from pursuing tutorial careers altogether. Moreover, since momentary positions are disproportionately stuffed by girls and early-career lecturers, present inequities are deepened.
The implications of this structural imbalance lengthen past the upper schooling system itself. In recent times, the coverage focus of the West Bengal authorities has more and more leaned in the direction of money switch schemes aimed toward quick welfare beneficial properties.
Whereas such interventions assist weak households, they can not substitute long-term investments in human capital.
Addressing the underlying structural constraints — increasing institutional capability, bettering student-teacher ratios, and strengthening the bottom of everlasting college — is crucial. With out these reforms, the State dangers undermining its potential to generate a talented and productive workforce.
The authors are Assistant Professors, FLAME College. With inputs from Ridhima Mittal, UG2 pupil, FLAME College.
Printed – March 30, 2026 05:45 am IST