The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE) recently unveiled an innovative stride in the realm of education, introducing a semester system set to revolutionize the academic landscape.
Effective from the ongoing academic session (2024-25) for class 11 and extending to class 12 in the subsequent academic year (2025-26), this system promises a dynamic approach to learning in all state-run and state-aided schools.
In an official notice disseminated on April 18, WBCHSE President, Chiranjib Bhattacharya, delineated the council’s fervent commitment to implementing this transformative semester system. The directive, addressed to school heads and educators, underscores the pivotal shift in pedagogical methodology.
Under the ambit of this novel system, the entire higher secondary or 10+2 education will be segmented into four distinct phases: semester 1, semester 2, semester 3, and semester 4. Commencing with class 11 divided into semesters 1 and 2, followed by the redesignation of class 12 into semesters 3 and 4, this framework aims to enhance academic efficacy and student engagement.
This paradigm shift in education aligns seamlessly with the state’s new education policy, unveiled in August, which espouses a multifaceted approach to holistic learning. Embracing the ethos of the policy, schools are encouraged to facilitate challenging coursework, foster extracurricular pursuits, and nurture collaborative ventures with higher educational institutions.
Moreover, the policy advocates for the integration of internship opportunities during summer recesses, affording students invaluable exposure to diverse professional domains. Collaborations with esteemed corporate entities, publishing houses, and media conglomerates are poised to enrich students' experiential learning journeys.
Crucially, the new education policy maintains fidelity to the established school structure of 4+4+2+2, ensuring continuity and coherence in educational progression. Students will embark on a transformative journey, dedicating four years to the foundation stage, followed by an additional four years in the upper primary (preparatory stage), culminating in two years of secondary education (classes 9 and 10).
In essence, the implementation of the semester system heralds a new dawn in West Bengal's educational landscape, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and academic excellence.