West Bengal Government to Integrate Nationalist Figures into School Curriculum

The West Bengal government is set to introduce the contributions of nationalist figures Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Swami Pranabananda into the school curriculum. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced this initiative during a National Teachers' Day event, emphasizing the importance of India's cultural heritage in education. Alongside this, a budget of Rs 300 crore has been allocated to improve infrastructure in state-run schools. Vidya Bharati, the education wing of the RSS, is also planning to expand its network of schools across the state, aiming for one institution in every block by 2027, marking its 75th anniversary. This move is seen as a significant step towards promoting nationalistic learning in West Bengal's educational landscape.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 5, 2026, 15:28 IST

Introduction of Nationalist Contributions in Education

File image of West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari (Photo - IANS)

Kolkata, Sept 5: The West Bengal administration is set to incorporate the legacies of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the founder of Bharatiya Jana Sangh, and Swami Pranabananda, the founder of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, into the educational syllabus.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced this initiative on Saturday, highlighting a renewed focus on what the BJP refers to as India's cultural and national heritage within the educational framework.

“We will include the contributions and sacrifices of Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Swami Pranabananda in the school curriculum, as they played a crucial role in the formation of West Bengal and safeguarded millions of Hindus during the Partition,” Adhikari stated during a National Teachers' Day event.

Additionally, the Chief Minister revealed a budget of Rs 300 crore in “composite grants” aimed at enhancing infrastructure and facilities in state-run and aided schools.

This educational reform coincides with Vidya Bharati's plans to broaden its school network throughout West Bengal. The organization currently operates 313 schools across 150 of the state's 345 blocks and aims to establish at least one school in every block.

“We intend to expand our presence from 150 blocks to ensure at least one school in each block in the coming years,” stated Partha Ghosh, joint organizing secretary of Vidya Bharati.

The expansion initiative has gained traction following Chief Minister Adhikari's encouragement for Vidya Bharati to create a network of at least 1,000 educational institutions statewide.

Officials from Vidya Bharati view this growth as a significant achievement ahead of 2027, which marks the 75th anniversary of the organization’s educational endeavors.

“In 2027, we will celebrate the 75th year of Vidya Bharati schools, and we anticipate substantial expansion,” added Chiranjit Mahato, a senior official.

Currently, only one Vidya Bharati school in West Bengal is affiliated with the CBSE, while the majority adhere to the West Bengal Board curriculum. The organization aims to enhance classroom learning in specific subjects, particularly history, where they believe existing textbooks may contain inaccuracies.

“In subjects like history, where we find many distortions in textbooks, we provide what we consider the accurate history for their understanding. However, students will still write answers based on their curriculum to ensure they pass,” the official explained.

During an event celebrating Vidya Bharati's 74th anniversary earlier this week, Adhikari urged the organization to expand its influence across districts, municipalities, and panchayats, emphasizing the importance of promoting “nationalistic learning.”