Why Are ‘Untainted’ Teachers Refusing to Apply for WBSSC Jobs?
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Synopsis
As the West Bengal School Service Commission begins its online teacher recruitment, many 'untainted' teachers are opting out. The Supreme Court's recent ruling has left them in a dilemma. Will they stand firm or change their minds? This article delves into their reasons and the ongoing protests.
Key Takeaways
- Online recruitment process for teachers has begun in West Bengal.
- 25,753 positions were annulled by the Supreme Court.
- Many untainted teachers refuse to apply.
- Protests are ongoing, with some teachers on a hunger strike.
- Review petitions have been filed for reconsideration.
Kolkata, June 17 (NationPress) As the online application process kicked off for the recruitment of teaching staff in state-run schools in West Bengal, many untainted or genuine teachers have chosen to abstain from the new recruitment process. This follows the Supreme Court's decision in April, which led to the cancellation of 25,753 teaching and non-teaching positions.
Initially, the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) was set to launch its online application portal at 5 p.m. on Monday. However, due to technical issues, it was delayed until 10:30 p.m.
Even after the portal opened, applicants encountered difficulties for about an hour due to high traffic. An insider from the commission noted that the heavy influx of applicants put considerable strain on the system, causing initial submission problems.
By around 11:30 p.m. Monday, the application process resumed smoothly, with over 1,000 applications already submitted at the time this report was filed.
Despite this, the untainted teachers remain firm in their decision to not engage in the recruitment process, opting instead to await the results of a review petition submitted to the Supreme Court.
A group of these teachers, organized under the banner of Jogyo Shikshak-Shikshika Adhikar Mancha (Genuine Teachers’ Rights Forum), has initiated a fast-unto-death protest near the WBSSC office in Salt Lake, Kolkata, starting June 12.
“We feel no obligation to participate in a new recruitment examination as we were qualified for the jobs previously, unlike the tainted individuals, who allegedly secured their positions through monetary transactions. The Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court would not have annulled the jobs of untainted teachers alongside tainted ones if the government had differentiated between the two categories,” stated Mehboob Mondal, a representative of the forum.
Another group, known as the West Bengal Attended Teachers’ Association, also announced that none of its members would apply for the new positions. “Our request to the government is to focus on the review petition,” said representative Mrinmay Mondal.
On April 3, a Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna upheld a previous ruling from the Calcutta High Court, which annulled 25,753 school appointments made by the WBSSC.
The Supreme Court remarked that the entire panel needed to be disbanded due to the authorities' inability to distinguish between tainted and untainted candidates.
Since then, the state government and WBSSC have filed review petitions in the Supreme Court for reconsideration of this decision.
Point of View
It is crucial to understand the plight of the 'untainted' teachers in West Bengal. Their refusal to partake in the new recruitment process highlights a significant issue of fairness and transparency within the educational system. As a leading news outlet, we stand with the integrity of education and advocate for a solution that upholds justice for all qualified candidates.
NationPress
17/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are 'untainted' teachers not applying for the new jobs?
They believe they were qualified for their positions previously and are awaiting the outcome of a Supreme Court review petition.
What led to the cancellation of the 25,753 teaching positions?
The Supreme Court ruled that the appointments could not be justified as there was no distinction made between 'tainted' and 'untainted' candidates.
What actions are the protesting teachers taking?
Many have started a fast-unto-death protest to voice their concerns and demand justice.
What is the reaction of the West Bengal government?
The state government, along with the WBSSC, has filed review petitions in the Supreme Court to reconsider the cancellation order.
How is this situation affecting students?
The vacancy of teaching positions may lead to disruptions in education and impact students' learning experiences.
