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West Bengal School Halts Classes for Duare Sarkar, Sparks Public Outcry 2025

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Duare Sarkar Controversy: A government school in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, recently found itself at the center of controversy after regular classes were abruptly suspended to accommodate the Duare Sarkar camp. While this government initiative is aimed at providing welfare benefits to citizens at their doorstep, its execution in a school premises has left parents, teachers, and students frustrated.

With education already affected in the past due to COVID-19 lockdowns and frequent disruptions, this latest decision has further raised concerns about the priority given to schooling in the state.

What Happened in Jalpaiguri?

The Duare Sarkar (Government at Your Doorstep) program is a West Bengal government initiative designed to provide citizens with easy access to essential welfare services such as:

  • Ration card applications
  • Pension schemes
  • Healthcare benefits
  • Caste and income certificates
  • Land and property-related documents

While this program has helped thousands, the decision to use a school as a venue has led to major discontent.

Duare Sarkar controversy West Bengal education news Jalpaiguri school dispute Government schemes in schools Parents protest school closure
  • Parents were shocked when they arrived to drop off their children and found that regular lessons had been replaced by government officials processing welfare applications.
  • Teachers struggled as they were instructed to halt academic activities for the day without prior preparation.
  • Students, many of whom were preparing for upcoming exams, were forced to stay at home, causing learning setbacks.

A frustrated parent shared their concerns, saying:

“We understand that government schemes are important, but why should our children’s education be compromised for it? Couldn’t they have chosen another location?”

Growing Frustration Among Parents & Teachers

This unexpected disruption has caused widespread outrage, with parents demanding answers from school authorities and local government representatives. Many argue that while Duare Sarkar is beneficial, education should never take a backseat.

Key concerns raised by parents and teachers:

  • Why wasn’t an alternative venue chosen, such as a community hall or panchayat office?
  • Why weren’t parents informed in advance about the school closure?
  • With students already struggling due to previous disruptions, how will the government ensure they don’t fall further behind?

A teacher at the affected school, speaking anonymously, said:

“We were told at the last moment that the school would be used for Duare Sarkar. This left us helpless because we couldn’t continue our lessons as planned. It’s frustrating to see education being taken lightly.”

Duare Sarkar controversy West Bengal education news Jalpaiguri school dispute Government schemes in schools Parents protest school closure

Government’s Justification: Welfare First?

State officials defended the decision, stating that the school was the most accessible location for citizens in the area to receive services. According to them:

  • Many elderly citizens and underprivileged people benefit from the ease of access that schools provide.
  • The lack of available public venues in rural areas often forces them to use school premises.
  • The event was temporary, and classes were expected to resume the next day.

However, critics argue that disrupting a child’s education for administrative purposes is not justifiable. Many believe that this sets a bad precedent, where education is sidelined in favor of government activities.

Similar Incidents in West Bengal

This is not the first time that government programs have interrupted school activities in West Bengal.

  • In 2022, several schools were converted into temporary vaccination centers, causing delays in reopening classrooms.
  • In some districts, government surveys and administrative work were conducted in school premises, causing frequent lesson cancellations.
  • Recently, teachers protested against being assigned non-teaching duties, such as distributing relief materials or conducting surveys.

Education activists argue that while public welfare is crucial, it should never come at the cost of learning.

Public Backlash: A Demand for Policy Change

The backlash against the Jalpaiguri school closure is growing, with parents and activists calling for a policy change to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Possible solutions proposed by experts include:

  • Dedicated public halls for government programs instead of schools.
  • Weekend or after-school timings for government outreach camps.
  • Prior communication to parents and teachers to avoid sudden disruptions.

A social activist in the region stated:

“Education is a fundamental right. If the government can build offices for administrative work, why not invest in community centers for public welfare programs? Schools should be for learning, not bureaucracy.”

Duare Sarkar controversy West Bengal education news Jalpaiguri school dispute Government schemes in schools Parents protest school closure

Conclusion: Finding a Balance Between Welfare & Education

The Jalpaiguri Duare Sarkar controversy has highlighted the urgent need to balance welfare initiatives with uninterrupted education. While government schemes are essential for public well-being, they should not interfere with students’ learning.

The Duare Sarkar initiative has been praised for making government services more accessible, but incidents like the Jalpaiguri school closure raise concerns about its implementation strategy. Critics argue that Duare Sarkar camps should be held in community halls, panchayat offices, or other public spaces to ensure that students’ education remains unaffected. Parents and educators are now demanding strict guidelines to prevent future disruptions caused by Duare Sarkar programs.

This incident has also sparked a broader statewide discussion, with education advocates insisting that the West Bengal government must find a way to ensure that Duare Sarkar does not interfere with academic activities. While the intention behind Duare Sarkar is commendable, the execution needs to be refined so that students’ learning does not suffer due to administrative decisions.

The West Bengal government must now rethink its execution strategy for such initiatives and ensure that schools remain dedicated spaces for education. Finding alternative venues or adjusting the timing of programs could be the solution to preventing such disputes in the future.

Also Read: Kolkata International Book Fair 2025 Begins with Grand Participation

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