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Sanyal quits school reforms panel after ‘rift’

Somdatta Basu | TNN 18.11.11

Kolkata: Eminent educationist Sunanda Sanyal on Thursday stepped down as chairman of the syllabus committee appointed by the Mamata Banerjee government to bring reforms in school education. Sanyal said he was suffering from chikungunya and had asked to be relieved of his duties, but insiders attributed his decision to difference of opinion with committee members and some decisions taken by the government “ignoring” his advice. 
    In July, Sanyal had quit another key panel — the higher education committee — also headed by him. 
    Sanyal is known to have strongly disagreed with the government’s decision — taken at a cabinet meeting — to do away with the pass-fail system till class VIII, accepting provisions in the Right to Education Act. Sources said one of the reasons why he chose to opt out of the school committee was that he did not want to be held responsible for decisions taken by the government. 
    The 19-member committee comprising educationists, experts and government officials submitted a draft report to education minister Bratya Basu last Monday that endorsed the government’s decision to abolish the pass-fail system. Sanyal did not attend Monday’s meeting, citing “health reasons” for his absence. Later, he sent a note of dissent stating his views. 
    “I believe if the state government decides to do away with the pass-fail system till class VIII, its repercussion will be felt even in higher education. If those students who fare badly in examinations are granted promotions, it will lead to a degeneration of the education system,” Sanyal told TOI on Thursday.