SSC: In recent developments, eligible teachers who lost their jobs in the alleged teacher recruitment scam in West Bengal are continuing their agitation, demanding reinstatement. These teachers recently met with the Education Secretary and other senior officials at Bikash Bhavan on multiple occasions, where they highlighted their primary demands and concerns.
Sacked Teachers’ Key Demands and Concerns:
The main demand of the job-lost teachers is their reinstatement without having to appear for any re-examination. They believe they are victims of institutional corruption and secured their jobs based on merit. After serving as teachers for 6-10 years, they find it humiliating and practically difficult, given their current physical and mental state, to sit for a new examination.
The teachers are also deeply concerned about the potential new recruitment notification, as directed by the Supreme Court. They fear this new notification might further complicate their reinstatement process. Therefore, they demand that no new notification be issued until the government’s review petition in the Supreme Court is finalized. Furthermore, the ‘Yogya Shikshak Shikshika Adhikar Mancha’ (Eligible Teachers’ Rights Forum) has proposed re-paneling and swift appointments for eligible candidates based on the original OMR sheets, which they claim have been validated by the CBI.
Government’s Stance and Actions:
Education department officials have stated that the state government stands by the eligible teachers and will continue the legal battle. They have prepared a “strong review draft” to be submitted to the Supreme Court, and any defects in that file have already been rectified. However, the acceptance of the review petition and its timeline are entirely dependent on the Supreme Court, and no specific timeframe could be provided, especially before a partial hearing scheduled in June.
Regarding the new recruitment notification, government officials have stated that they are bound by the Supreme Court’s orders and are discussing the matter with legal experts. However, no clear information has been provided about the publication date or content of the notification. The government has indicated that it will act primarily within the legal framework.
Teachers’ Frustration and Future Plans:
The teachers are disappointed by the lack of clear commitments during the meetings. Their frustration has been compounded by their inability to meet with the Education Minister, as they believe only the Minister or the Chief Minister can address some of their critical questions.
In this situation, the teachers have decided to intensify their agitation. While continuing their protest programs across West Bengal, they plan to escalate their movement to Delhi. Representatives of the Eligible Teachers’ Rights Forum have announced that they will write to all MLAs and MPs in West Bengal and other states to inform them of their plight and seek support, hoping the issue will be raised in the upcoming parliamentary session. They also highlighted the adverse conditions at their current protest site (designated following a High Court order), especially during the rainy season, and the hardships faced by teachers, including those with young children, demanding better arrangements from the administration.
Overall, the future of the job-lost teachers remains uncertain. Caught between legal complexities and their demand for rightful employment, all eyes are on the future course of their agitation and the steps taken by the government and the judiciary.
