For the implementation of the programmes on Adult Education, on-Formal Education and other branches of education as set out during the creation of the Mass Education Extension Department it was decided that a separate Directorate of Mass Education Extension with independent status directly under the said Department of Mass Education Extension would be set up by merging the Directorate of School Education which was so long entrusted with the task of implementation of all programmes relating to Non-formal Education of the 9-14 age-group children and State Welfare Homes and allied matters and that part of the Directorate of Public Instruction having programme responsibility for implementation of the audio-visual education component and social education not connected with the higher education as well as that part of the Technical Education of the disabled children. Thus the Directorate of Mass Education Extension merging the different components as mentioned came into being in the year 1989, i.e., the year after the creation of the Department itself.
Achievements of this Department are also reflected in the development and expansion of State Welfare homes as well as State aided Social Welfare homes for children and aided Destitute Welfare Homes for Girls above 18 years age.
In order to impart education to adult learners there is a scheme of Adult High School in the State. At present 14 Adult High Schools are functioning in the State.
For providing vocational training, in particular, to marginalized segments, the Shramik Vidyapith, Kolkata at 56A, B.T. Road, Kolkata-50 was established almost three decades back. The institution runs training programme in different trades and the number of courses have increased during this period considerably.
Apart from this there are two institutions, viz. People’s (Janata) College at Banipur, North 24 Parganas and People’s (Janata) College at Kalimpong for imparting professional training in librarianship.
The Directorate of Mass Education Extension is entrusted with the responsibilities of carrying out the following activities: