West Bengal Chief Minister (CM) Suvendu Adhikari hinted on Saturday that cell phones may likely be banned in schools across the state, citing concerns over their growing impact on students and pointing to Gujarat’s restrictions as a model.

Addressing a government programme to mark Teachers’ Day in Kolkata, CM Adhikari said banning cell phones could be a potentially difficult decision but underscored that the issue needed serious consideration.

CM Adhikari said, “Mobile phones have a huge negative impact on school children. It will be a tough decision and I may lose votes. In Gujarat, mobile phones are banned for students up to Class 12.”

He also claimed that many students continued using their phones till late night, even after their parents had gone to sleep. He remarked, “Even after their parents go to sleep, the students remain awake till around 2 am, watching cell phones.”

CM voices demand for physical activity in schools

CM Adhikari then voiced calls for a broader overhaul of the state’s education system, arguing that schools must strike a balance between academic learning and physical activities.

He asserted, ‘We will be doing wrong if we restrict the students within the libraries and laboratories. We have done many things wrong in the state’s education sector. We have to bring back physical activities in our schools.”

He went on to say that the National Cadet Corps (NCC) had been withdrawn from schools and colleges, calling the decision a ‘huge damage.’ According to him, NCC should be reintroduced, while greater emphasis should also be laid on sports.

He added that the state government plans to revive traditional games such as Kho-kho and Kabaddi in schools.

Two model schools to be laid in every district

Thereafter, the Chief Minister announced plans to establish two ‘CM Shri’ model schools in every district. The schools will pick the best students through examinations conducted in Class 6 and will be modelled along the lines of central schools.

The institutions are expected to have highly qualified teachers, advanced laboratories and smart classrooms. CM Adhikari further said the state government would establish two sports facilities where promising young athletes could receive specialised training.

Teacher recruitment to follow court orders

CM Adhikari said the School Service Commission had been reconstituted and assured that teacher recruitment would be conducted in a transparent manner in accordance with the directives issued by the Supreme Court and the Calcutta High Court (HC).

He said, “No illegality will be allowed to creep in,” he said, adding that reforms were the need of the hour to restore credibility to the education system.

He further proposed that teachers’ felicitation should be based on measurable parameters, including attendance, authorship of books, board exam results and the achievements of their students.

“Nation first,” says CM

Towards the end of his address, CM Adhikari stressed what he described as the importance of patriotism, saying national interests should not be compromised.

He asserted, “Those who harm the Nation, raise questions against patriotism, raise objections against singing the entire National Song, those who don’t protest after Pahalgam-like massacre while raising objections when India attacks Pakistan and seek peace. Nation comes first.”