Published Paper Details:

This has raised a concern of West Bengal in regards to the quality of primary education in the region despite the tremendous growth of enrollment, development of infrastructure, and policy interventions. Recent evaluations have shown that a high percentage of students in lower grades are not well equipped with basics in literacy and numeracy activities which is a sign of systemic failure in the processes of teaching-learning. In this paper, the significant issues that have contributed towards the decline are critically looked at which include teacher shortages, poor training, infrastructural disconnects, socio-economic hindrances, and administrative inefficiencies. Using the current reports, observations in the classroom, and secondary information, the research illuminates the collective effect of these factors as they negatively affect learning outcomes and increase educational inequalities especially in rural and disadvantaged communities. The paper also gives a discussion of evidence-based solutions that can be used to restore the primary education system. These involve fortification of basic learning courses, timely hiring of teachers, professional development, school infrastructure and encouragement of parental and community involvement. They are focussed on the incorporation of technology, open governance, and inclusive practices in accordance with NEP 2020. It claims that learners should be subjected to holistic and multi- level reforms to gain meaningful and long-lasting reforms in the standard of learning. Finally, the paper recommends a team-based solution that entails the government agencies, the teaching fraternity, the communities, and the civil society to regain the trust and revive the credibility of primary education in West Bengal.