During a recent rally in West Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a sharp dig at the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), claiming that the state’s education system—from schools to universities—is being systematically destroyed. PM Modi said students in Bengal are not getting fair opportunities due to deep-rooted corruption, poor governance, and political interference at every level of the education sector. He also accused the state government of turning education into a tool of political manipulation, especially through rigged recruitment and favoritism in jobs.

I chose to write about this because education is the backbone of any society. When political parties fight over education, it’s not just about them—it directly affects students, teachers, and families. In a state like Bengal, which once led the country in intellectual growth, this kind of debate deserves serious attention. Whether you agree with PM Modi or not, the question remains—what is happening to the education system in West Bengal? Are students being left behind because of politics? As someone who has seen friends struggle through state-level exams and job recruitment scams, I feel this issue is not just political drama. It hits home, and it’s time we all paid attention.

What Exactly Did PM Modi Say?

While addressing a public rally in Bengal, PM Modi accused the TMC government of ruining the education system at every level—primary, secondary, and higher education. He said that:

• Teachers’ recruitment is heavily influenced by bribes and political connections
• Merit has no value in the current education framework
• Exam paper leaks, job scams, and appointment irregularities are damaging students’ futures
• The system is no longer trusted by parents or students, especially when it comes to government jobs

These statements were part of a larger criticism of the Mamata Banerjee-led state government, where Modi tried to connect the anger of the youth with the central theme of corruption and mismanagement.

Ground Reality: Is There Any Truth to It?

Many of these concerns are not new. Over the last few years, West Bengal has seen several high-profile scandals related to education and job recruitments.

Some real incidents include:

• Teacher recruitment scam (SSC Scam): Huge controversy around the appointment of teachers through bribes, involving top officials and political leaders
• WBPSC (Public Service Commission) irregularities: Candidates alleging bias and unfair selections in civil service exams
• Frequent student protests in universities like Jadavpur and Presidency against political interference and campus violence

While the TMC has denied many of these allegations and called PM Modi’s remarks a political stunt ahead of elections, public trust has definitely taken a hit.

Why This Matters for Students and Parents

When education becomes a battleground for politics, the real sufferers are students. In West Bengal, many students spend years preparing for competitive exams, only to find out that posts were sold or filled with favoured candidates. This not only wastes time but also kills hope.

The middle-class families who dream of a better future through education are now filled with doubt. They ask:

• Will my child get a job based on merit?
• Are coaching centres and tuitions the only way forward?
• Is it better to leave Bengal for studies and jobs?

These are real concerns. When youth feel that hard work doesn’t matter, it leads to frustration, anger, and even migration to other states.

What the TMC Said in Response

After PM Modi’s remarks, the Trinamool Congress hit back, saying:

• The Centre has no moral right to talk about education when they are busy rewriting textbooks and cutting research budgets
• Most of the allegations are politically motivated and exaggerated ahead of elections
• Bengal continues to perform well in school-level results like Madhyamik and Higher Secondary exams

They also accused the BJP of trying to centralise control over education and destroy the federal structure.

What Needs to Happen Now

Regardless of which party is saying what, the real question is—what are we doing to fix the system?

Here are a few things that need urgent attention:

• Independent education commissions free from political influence
• Transparent recruitment systems with digital tracking and third-party audits
• Strict action against paper leaks, scam accused, and bribe-takers
• Better salaries and training for government school teachers
• Career counselling and mental health support for students