Pay Fixation: What Will Be the Salary on Returning to Old Job? Major Directive Issued by Education Department for Teachers

Pay Fixation: The West Bengal School Education Department has recently issued a highly significant directive regarding ‘Pay Fixation’ and re-joining procedures for teachers returning to their previous posts. This notification is particularly relevant for teachers who secured higher posts (such as in Upper Primary or Secondary levels) during or after the 2016 recruitment process but are now compelled to return to their former positions (such as Primary) due to recent court orders cancelling their subsequent appointments.

Issued on December 5, 2025, the directive provides clear instructions to the District School Inspectors (DIs) on how the salary and service conditions of these affected teachers should be determined.

Major Changes in Salary Structure

The most pressing question among the affected teachers was whether they would receive ‘Pay Protection’ for the higher salary they were drawing in the higher post. The Education Department has categorically stated that no pay protection will be applicable in this scenario.

When a teacher returns to their old or lower post, their salary will be re-fixed according to the scale of that old post. Essentially, they cannot claim the enhanced salary of the higher post they have vacated. The pay fixation must be done strictly as per the scale of the primary or previous position.

Relief: Seniority and Increments Preserved

Despite the reduction in salary, there is a silver lining for the teachers. The directive clarifies that the Seniority of the teachers will remain intact. The entire duration of their service will be counted towards their tenure, preserving their seniority benefits. Additionally, they will be considered eligible for annual increments as per the rules. Other entitlements associated with their service will also be preserved.

Clarification on Back Wages

The directive is also stringent regarding ‘Back Wages’. It explicitly states that the State Government or the concerned autonomous body will not provide any salary or back wages for the interim period—the time between losing the higher post and joining the old school. No claims for arrears for this specific duration will be entertained.

Key Highlights of the Directive:

This directive aims to clear the confusion for teachers caught in legal complexities, forcing them to shift from one post to another. While there is a financial setback regarding the salary scale, the continuity of service and preservation of seniority offer a degree of stability in their careers.