The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) has sparked a major controversy by imposing a hefty financial penalty on 50 state-run schools for failing to complete student registrations for the 2026 Madhyamik examinations on time. The Board has directed these institutions to pay ₹5,000 for each student whose registration was delayed or data was not rectified, with a deadline set for Monday.
Board Cites Court Order, Schools Cry Harassment
According to the Board, this punitive measure is in compliance with an order from the Calcutta High Court. Officials stated that the explanations offered by the heads of the defaulting schools during a hearing held on Friday were deemed unsatisfactory. Ramanuj Ganguly, President of the WBBSE, emphasized that the action was necessary to safeguard students' futures, noting that out of over 9,300 government and aided schools, only 50 had failed in their duty.
"We are not doing anything outside the instruction of the court. There are students from 2024. All of them should have been registered. But in November 2025, we are being told they are yet to be registered," Ganguly told The Indian Express. He described the lapse as a result of the schools' inefficiency, pointing out that the registration process had been ongoing for nearly ten months.
Heads' Association Slams 'Corporate' Behavior of Board
The move has been met with fierce opposition from school administrators. Chandan Maiti, General Secretary of the Advanced Society for Headmaster and Headmistress (AFSHM), condemned the penalty as a form of harassment, accusing the Board of operating like a corporate entity rather than an educational body.
Maiti highlighted the severe financial constraints faced by government schools, which manage numerous state initiatives like midday meals, Kanyashree, and free distribution of uniforms and books. "Where will the school get the funds to pay the fine?" he questioned, revealing that the association has written to the Chief Minister seeking intervention.
Broader Allegations of Financial Burden
In their complaint, the AFSHM outlined a pattern of what they call unjustified financial impositions by the WBBSE over the past 15 years. The allegations include:
- Exorbitant charges for transferred students, with some schools forced to deposit over ₹1 lakh for 25-30 pupils.
- A fine of ₹2,000 per year for delays in renewal of recognition, cumulatively amounting to lakhs of rupees for some institutions.
- Negligible financial support from the education department despite soaring operational costs.
- Teacher and staff vacancies exceeding 50% in many schools.
Maiti also pointed out that schools have not been permitted to collect more than ₹240 per student for nearly 15 years, severely crippling their ability to manage rising expenses.
While a senior Board official maintained that the penalty was a non-negotiable deterrent to ensure smooth exam participation, affected school heads argue that the reasons for delay vary from one institution to another and are often beyond their control. The standoff puts the registration—and consequently, the exam future—of numerous students in a precarious position as the deadline for penalty payment looms.
