What Happened in the WBSSC Job Case Hearing?
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Synopsis
Kolkata witnessed the culmination of a pivotal hearing at the Calcutta High Court regarding the WBSSC's new weightage criteria for teaching recruitments. As the court deliberates, the implications for thousands of vacant teaching positions remain uncertain. Discover the details surrounding this significant legal battle.
Key Takeaways
- WBSSC has introduced new weightage criteria for teaching recruitment.
- The recent hearing at Calcutta High Court was pivotal for educational recruitment in West Bengal.
- Arguments presented highlighted differing interpretations of the Supreme Court's orders.
- The outcome will significantly impact the teaching job landscape in the state.
- Petitioners are advocating for adherence to the 2016 recruitment rules.
Kolkata, July 14 (NationPress) The proceedings regarding the petition contesting the newly implemented weightage criteria by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) for fresh teaching recruitments in state-run schools, which became vacant after the Supreme Court annulled 25,753 school jobs in April this year, concluded at a division bench of the Calcutta High Court on Monday.
However, the division bench, comprising Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Smita Das, has reserved its order.
The WBSSC's notification for new recruitments faced opposition due to the introduction of two new weightage criteria, each worth 10 marks: one for prior teaching experience and the other for lecture demonstration.
The petitioners argued that the recruitment process must mirror the procedures from 2016, as the entire panel from that year was nullified by the Supreme Court.
In his final address, the state government's counsel and the advocate general of West Bengal, Kishore Datta, contended that the petitioners misinterpret the Supreme Court's April ruling, which did not mandate the adherence to 2016 rules for the 2025 recruitment.
“The Calcutta High Court last year and the Supreme Court in April only instructed for fresh recruitments. The WBSSC established the new rules in compliance with the Supreme Court’s guidance. If the petitioners believe that these new rules contravene the Supreme Court's directives, they should seek the apex court's clarification,” Datta asserted.
The counsel for WBSSC and Trinamool Congress member Kalyan Banerjee supported this viewpoint, indicating that no explicit instructions from the Supreme Court required adherence to 2016 rules in the upcoming recruitments.
Conversely, the petitioners' counsel and CPI-M Rajya Sabha member Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya claimed that the Supreme Court did not empower the WBSSC to alter the rules for the current recruitment.
Point of View
It is imperative to remain impartial in our reporting. This ongoing case reflects significant issues surrounding educational policies and recruitment processes in West Bengal. The outcome will undoubtedly impact many stakeholders, including potential teachers and students, and it is crucial to observe how the judicial system addresses these concerns.
NationPress
14/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the WBSSC?
The West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) is responsible for the recruitment of teachers in state-run schools in West Bengal.
What are the new weightage criteria introduced?
The new weightage criteria include 10 marks for prior teaching experience and 10 marks for lecture demonstration.
Why was the recruitment notification challenged?
The recruitment notification was challenged because the petitioners argued that the rules should align with those established in 2016, which were annulled by the Supreme Court.
What was the outcome of the hearing?
The hearing concluded, but the division bench of the Calcutta High Court reserved its order.
What are the implications of this case?
The implications could affect the recruitment process for thousands of teaching positions, determining how future recruitments will be conducted.
