Bengal CM calls for reducing screen time for students; says mobile phones should be restricted in schools

Observing that the use of mobile phones is creating a negative impact among children, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday (September 5, 2026) said that mobile phones should be restricted in schools.

The Chief Minister who was addressing a gathering on the occasion of Teachers Day said that unless we address such issues there is no such significance of reforms in education or observing Teachers’ Day.

“My votes may perhaps decrease. But I will still say that the use of phones in schools needs to be regulated. In Gujarat, phones are not used in schools from Class I to Class XII,” Mr. Adhikari said. Earlier this year the Karnataka government had said that it was mulling over a law for restricting mobile phones for children under 16 years.

Speaking at the gathering in Kolkata the Chief Minister announced that two ‘CM Shri’ schools, modelled after PM Shri schools, will be opened in each district. “In these schools, admission will be given from Class VI based on merit. Like the Central Model School, the schools will have all modern facilities, including smart boards. Large sports-related institutions will be set up in the western and northern regions.” he said.

The Chief Minister also announced that his government would undertake teacher recruitment in a transparent manner in accordance with the directions of the Supreme Court and the Calcutta High Court.

“Merit will be the primary criterion for selection. We will recruit teachers in accordance with the directions of the Supreme Court and the Calcutta High Court. There is no need to worry. I have asked officials to ensure viva voce should not exceed five marks,” he said.

The Chief Minister said that his government has amended the OBC list and the fresh recruitment will be undertaken as per the amendment list. The West Bengal Legislative Assembly had recently passed two OBC amendment bills in June 2026, removing 77 communities (mostly added post-2010) and reverting the state’s OBC list back to the original 66 pre-2010 categories.

Allegations of corruption in the recruitment of teachers have surfaced in the previous Trinamool Congress government and several prominent leaders of the ruling party including former Education Minister Partha Chatterjee were arrested for the alleged involvement in the scam.