WB grants ₹5 lakh to 399 college libraries to support new NEP curriculum

West Bengal is giving a welcome boost to its college libraries, with 399 state government-aided institutions set to receive ₹5 lakh each to purchase books and journals.

Principals say the grant comes as a rare bit of encouragement in a challenging year for higher education in the state.

For larger colleges, the amount may be modest, but smaller institutions, often constrained by tight budgets, see it as a lifeline.

The funding is aimed at helping colleges align with the updated curriculum under the National Education Policy and strengthen library collections.

“The Governor has been pleased to accord ‘In Principle Approval’ for the following project: Procurement of books and journals for the new syllabus of 399 govt.-aided colleges. Total amount of ‘In Principle Approval’: ₹19,95,00,000 (@ ₹5,00,000 to each college),” a recent communication said.

While the government has previously provided funds for book purchases, several academics said this is the first time all aided colleges are being given simultaneous financial support to upgrade their libraries.

"Amidst the not-so-rosy scenario in the higher educational institutes of Bengal due to the unprecedented delay in admission and the dilemma amongst the newly passed-out students dreaming to step into the portals of college," said Ayantika Ghosh, principal of Naba Ballygunge Mahavidyalaya.

“The recent circular on approval of allocation of ₹5 lakh by the Department of Higher Education for the procurement of books and journals undoubtedly gave a new lease of life to an academic system that desperately needs vitality and energy to carry itself forward,” Ghosh added.

She continued, “The new curriculum, a part of National Education Policy 2020 (with effect from 2023), is an acclaimed student-centric approach, focusing on the maximum growth of the students, equipping them with necessary skills for prospering in their chosen vocation.”

“The syllabus, accordingly, is diverse and multidisciplinary and includes many texts in its ambit that were hitherto not under the prescribed texts list published by the university. The last three years have been a struggle for teachers to replenish the young minds, mainly due to a lack of books in the library,” said Ghosh.

“This much-awaited endeavor by the Higher Education Department should alleviate the crisis. The amount of ₹5 lakh hopefully is enough to procure the required books for the time being and will meet the needs of the course structure,” she added.

Educators also highlighted that the funding could help bring students back to physical libraries, which had seen reduced usage as e-books, online lectures, and AI-based learning tools became the norm post-pandemic.

“This grant will help college libraries purchase books on the current CCF (Curriculum & Credit Framework) syllabus and also reference. Our college is preparing the list through the departments. There cannot be better friends than physical books,” said Jaydeep Sarangi, principal of New Alipore College in Kolkata.

With the grants expected to be disbursed soon, colleges hope the investment will not only meet curriculum needs but also breathe new life into learning spaces, giving both students and faculty renewed momentum.