Was the Bengal School Service Commission recruitment exam conducted successfully?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The first round of the written examination for teaching positions was successfully held.
- Over 3.5 lakh candidates participated across various centres.
- Concerns about potential legal challenges due to 'tainted' candidates persist.
- The second round of the examination is set for September 14.
- Transparency and security are priorities for the upcoming recruitment process.
Kolkata, Sep 7 (NationPress) The West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu expressed his contentment on Sunday regarding the execution of the inaugural phase of the written exam for new teaching positions in state-operated schools, held earlier that day.
This first phase of the written exam aimed at filling the vacancies left by the termination of 25,753 teaching positions in the state, as mandated by the Supreme Court earlier this year.
The concluding phase of this written examination is scheduled for September 14. These assessments are essential for the recruitment of both secondary and higher secondary educators.
Shortly after the examination ended at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Basu took to social media to announce that approximately 3.5 lakh candidates participated in the assistant teacher recruitment exam (for Classes 9–10) across 636 centres, noting that it was conducted without any issues.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all candidates, the WBSSC, the School Education Department, and all involved officials. The administration is committed to ensuring that next Sunday’s exam for recruiting Assistant Teachers for Classes 10–12 is conducted with the highest levels of security, clarity, and transparency,” added Basu.
On the other hand, CPI-M Rajya Sabha member and senior advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya warned post-examination that the risk of legal challenges remains if any “tainted” or “ineligible” candidates are found to have participated later.
“The list of ‘tainted’ candidates released by WBSSC last week seems to be significantly incomplete, and it’s likely that further names will emerge in the days ahead, some of whom may have taken the written exam. This could lead to legal challenges and possibly the cancellation of the examination,” Bhattacharya stated.
Both the Supreme Court and the Calcutta High Court have firmly opposed the participation of “tainted” candidates, known to have paid for their positions.
Recently, a group of “tainted” candidates listed by WBSSC sought permission from the Calcutta High Court to sit for the written examination in this recruitment process.
However, both a single-judge bench and a division bench of the Calcutta High Court rejected their appeals.