The Comptroller and Auditor General’s audit reveals a 28‑42% transition loss, severe teacher shortages, and poor fund utilisation in West Bengal’s Samagra Shiksha scheme. The report pinpoints the root causes of dropouts and recommends corrective actions.

Key Takeaways

  • 28‑42% transition loss between upper primary and higher secondary
  • Over 500 schools operate with a single teacher; 520 schools have no teachers
  • Fund utilisation ranged only 46‑65%; ₹395 crore infrastructure funds remain unspent

Summary of the CAG Audit

The Comptroller and Auditor General’s performance audit reveals that West Bengal’s Samagra Shiksha implementation has been hampered by high dropout rates, acute teacher shortages, and significant fund utilisation gaps between FY 2019‑20 and FY 2023‑24.

Primary Drivers of Dropouts

Field surveys of 581 out‑of‑school children across 21 high schools show that 53% of parents cite financial distress as the main reason for pulling children out of school. Other factors include early marriage (12%), lack of interest in studies (14%), and migration for work (13%).

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Teacher Shortage and PTR Violations

The report flags that 5,152 schools (8% of the total) are operating with only one teacher, affecting 1,76,491 students, while 520 schools have no teachers at all, leaving 8,596 learners without instruction. Moreover, 29% of primary and 30% of upper‑primary schools fall short of the minimum pupil‑teacher ratio (PTR) norms.

Financial Gaps and Infrastructure Delays

Fund utilisation for the scheme hovered between 46% and 65% over the five‑year span. Delayed releases from both centre and state, coupled with non‑execution of sanctioned civil works, forced the state to surrender ₹395 crore earmarked for school infrastructure, and resulted in a short receipt of ₹2,428 crore in central funding.

Historical Background

Launched in 2018, the Samagra Shiksha scheme aims to provide an integrated, school‑level education from pre‑primary to higher secondary, with a special focus on disadvantaged regions. It seeks to strengthen infrastructure, teacher recruitment, and student support mechanisms.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the persistent teacher shortage and poor fund utilisation jeopardize West Bengal’s goal of achieving universal secondary education, potentially widening regional inequalities.

"The chronic teacher shortage undermines the very foundation of universal education," said Dr. Ananya Mukherjee, education policy expert.
Did You Know?: West Bengal’s pupil‑teacher ratio in higher secondary schools exceeds the national limit by 20%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What measures can the state take to curb dropouts?
A: Community awareness drives, counselling sessions, and periodic surveys can help bring out‑of‑school children back into formal education.

Q2: How will improved fund utilisation impact schooling?
A: Timely release of funds and swift completion of infrastructure projects will enhance school quality and boost student attendance.