Recruitment Scam: The case regarding the cancellation of jobs for 32,000 primary teachers is currently being heard in the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court, creating a new crisis in West Bengal’s education system. This case is not just a legal battle but also a reflection of the deep-rooted corruption and irregularities within the state’s education sector.
Current Status of the Case
The hearing for this case is ongoing in the Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court, with the next hearing date set for July 18th. The case has become exceedingly long and complex, with numerous petitions filed and various lawyers presenting their arguments. While the lawyers for the 32,000 teachers have presented their points strongly, the future of the case remains uncertain.
Key Issues of the Hearing
In the Supreme Court hearing, Senior Advocate Pratik Dhar, representing the teachers, presented several crucial arguments:
- Trained vs. Untrained Division: Advocate Pratik Dhar questioned the distinction made between “trained” and “untrained” candidates. He argued that if the petitioners became “trained” in 2019, the decision to cancel the jobs of “untrained” candidates while retaining the “trained” ones is contradictory.
- Aptitude Test and Natural Ability: It was stated in the hearing that the assessment had two parts – viva-voce (interview) and aptitude, which implies the “natural ability” to teach effectively. Questions were raised as to why only a few out of 700 interviewers were summoned and why there were inconsistencies in their statements.
- Violation of the Evidence Act (Section 165B): A significant point of contention was that only the writ petitioners were called as witnesses, and not the teachers (the opposing party), which is claimed to be a violation of Section 165B of the Evidence Act.
- Discrepancy in Marks: About 12% of candidates with poor academic records received high or full marks in the interview and aptitude test. The question was raised as to why the remaining 88% of academically sound candidates were not considered.
Allegations of Corruption and the Judge’s Remarks
The judge has repeatedly expressed regret over the “huge corruption, huge scam, huge money transfer” in the recruitment process. He has voiced concerns about corruption in various recruitment processes, including primary, upper primary, and SSC, and lamented the lack of concrete information regarding the scam and corruption.
The Board’s Secrecy
The West Bengal Board of Primary Education has ordered that all documents related to the 2016 primary teacher recruitment be kept confidential. According to the board, the matter is “sub judice” and cannot be made public. However, opposition parties and teacher organizations have opposed this secrecy, alleging that the government and the board are trying to protect unqualified individuals.
Conclusion
This case represents a critical juncture for West Bengal’s education system. It is still difficult to predict the future for the 32,000 teachers. However, the verdict in this case will play a crucial role in restoring transparency and accountability to the state’s education system.
