Teacher Retirement Age: Will WB School Teachers Retire at 65? New Proposal Sent to CM

Teacher Retirement Age: Discussions regarding the retirement age of state and state-aided school teachers have once again taken center stage in West Bengal’s education sector. Recently, the Progressive Teachers’ Forum sent a formal letter to the Honorable Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, requesting an increase in the retirement age for teachers from 60 to 65 years. This demand is primarily based on the current infrastructure of the state’s education system and the acute shortage of teachers.

Key Arguments Behind the Demand

The organization has presented several strong arguments in their letter to the Chief Minister’s office. According to them, this demand for raising the age limit is not merely for personal benefit but for the betterment of the state’s education system.

• Parity in Status: The retirement age for professors in government colleges and doctors under the health department has already been increased to 65 years. The Progressive Teachers’ Forum argues that the same rule should be implemented for school teachers based on equal status and equal rights.
• Severe Teacher Shortage: Currently, many government schools in West Bengal are facing a severe shortage of teachers. In many institutions, academic activities are being hampered due to a lack of subject-specific educators. In this scenario, retaining experienced teachers for a few more years could help mitigate this crisis.

Contractual Hiring vs. Permanent Extension

The letter highlights a crucial contradiction regarding the recruitment of ‘Guest Teachers’. It is often observed that after retiring at the age of 60, many experienced teachers are re-hired by schools on a contractual basis. The organization asserts that if retired teachers are indeed needed to run the schools, it is far more logical to permanently extend their retirement age to 65. This would ensure teachers receive their due respect and stability, while schools would benefit from uninterrupted service.

Future Possibilities and Debate

Ahead of the upcoming assembly elections and the state budget, many had hoped for a positive announcement from the government regarding this matter. However, no official notification has been issued yet. The proposal has evoked mixed reactions. One section believes that increasing the retirement age will improve the quality of education through experience. On the other hand, a significant section argues that raising the retirement age might reduce opportunities for fresh recruitment, thereby hindering employment prospects for the state’s unemployed youth. It remains to be seen what decision the Chief Minister will take in response to this letter.