Kolkata, April 17 : Criticising the West Bengal Government for opposing the New Education Policy unveiled by the Centre in 2020, on Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday wondered whether the opposition was prompted by “political considerations”. Urging the state government to enforce the NEP, Pradhan said its clauses have been devised so as to raise the employability of students. “Employment-oriented education will enrich the eastern states of the country.” He said the NEP also gives utmost importance to the local languages of a state. “There is a growing perception that the West Bengal Government wants to oppose every move of the Centre. I hope this decision (opposing the NEP) is not prompted by political considerations,” he said. Expressing concern over the quality of education in the state he said the standard has to be enhanced. Pradhan did not agree to talk about the alleged corruption in the state School Service Commission. Queried about the CBI probe ordered by the Calcutta High Court into alleged irregularities in state government-aided schools, he said every child has the right to education and the authorities should ensure the was no irregularities in teacher recruitment. The Central Government has taken a special initiative to enhance the standard of the Kharagpur IIT’s Research Park at Rajarhat campus in the city’s northeast fringes, he said. “If the education system in Bengal is built to a high standard, it will have a positive impact on the education system of India as a whole,” he said. XC SSP