Kolkata, Aug 13, 2026: The West Bengal government will introduce chapters on the life and contributions of freedom fighter Syama Prasad Mookerjee into school and university curricula starting from the next academic session, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said on Thursday after the first meeting of a special committee formed to plan programmes for Mookerjee’s 125th birth anniversary.
Curriculum change, book and statue among measures
The meeting reviewed curriculum content and proposed textbooks on Mookerjee, and also discussed plans for installation of his statue with the stated objective of highlighting his "life, ideals and contributions", Mr. Adhikari said. The State government will also publish a book on Mookerjee as part of the anniversary programmes, he added.
"The Education Department will include a dedicated section on Syama Prasad Mookerjee in the curriculum from the next academic session. His contributions will be taught at the school and the university level," Mr. Adhikari said.
The announcement was made at the inaugural meeting of the special committee constituted to plan and implement activities marking the 125th birth anniversary of Mookerjee. The committee examined textbook content and other outreach measures aimed at promoting awareness of his public life.
What the change means for students and institutions
- Scope: The addition will cover both school and university-level syllabuses, according to the Chief Minister.
- Materials: The State plans to publish a book on Mookerjee and review relevant curricular materials and textbooks.
- Commemorative activities: The committee also discussed installation of a statue and related programmes marking the anniversary.
Neither the Education Department nor the committee has, as of the meeting, released detailed curricular outlines, chapter titles, age-appropriate frameworks, or timelines for textbook approvals. The Chief Minister’s statement confined the commitment to inclusion "from the next academic session" and to actions being planned by the committee.
Context and administrative process
Changes to school and university syllabuses in India typically require drafting of content, vetting by education authorities, approval from the relevant boards and, for universities, adoption by departmental boards and councils. Textbook changes for state boards must also align with academic calendars so that teachers receive new materials before the start of term and students are informed about altered syllabi.
For West Bengal, the State Education Department will need to prepare the chapter(s), issue guidelines for teachers, and coordinate with the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education, the Council for Rabindra Open Schooling (if applicable), and state university authorities for higher education implementation. The timeline given — "the next academic session" — implies an expedited process; details on publication dates for the planned book and draft chapters were not provided at the meeting, according to the Chief Minister’s statement.
Officials, stakeholders and next steps
The special committee will continue to plan and implement the range of programmes, including curricular changes, textbook preparation and commemorative installations. Officials from the Education Department reviewed curriculum aspects at the first meeting, Mr. Adhikari said.
Students, parents and teachers awaiting clarity should look for formal notifications from the West Bengal Education Department and relevant boards. These notices will provide the precise academic year designation, textbook lists, chapter titles, and guidance for classroom teaching. The department’s official releases and board circulars are the authoritative sources for implementation timelines and examination implications.
Published: Aug 13, 2026. For official updates and detailed syllabi once released, consult the West Bengal Education Department website and board circulars.
