Sitting outside Acharya Sadan in Kolkata’s Salt Lake area, Smritirupa Pal, a Teacher Eligibility Test (TET)-qualified candidate, prepares for an interview with her four-year-old son on her lap. She is one of the 1,585 candidates called for interviews to fill teaching vacancies in government-run schools. Smritirupa, who appeared for the exam seven years ago, reflects on the changes in her life since then, emphasizing the challenge of balancing motherhood and professional aspirations.
The recruitment drive follows a teacher requirement scandal, prompting the state education department, under the Calcutta High Court’s direction, to conduct a fresh recruitment process for candidates allegedly deprived of teaching positions. The West Bengal Central School Service Commission (WBCSSC) has called 1,585 TET-qualified candidates from 2014 for interviews to fill positions in the upper primary section, while the West Bengal Board of Primary Education (WBBPE) has scheduled a fresh TET for the primary section on December 11 to fill approximately 11,000 vacant posts.
Many TET- and SSC-qualified candidates moved the High Court, alleging irregularities in the recruitment process. The court ordered CBI and ED inquiries into the alleged scam, leading to arrests of government officials, including the former education minister and SSC chairman. Candidates claimed tampering of TET merit lists, incorrect document handling, and the recruitment of undeserving candidates for monetary gains.
Candidates like Sushanta Mondal and Pradip Murmu, who faced setbacks in previous recruitment cycles, express hope for a fair process this time. The interview process for the fresh recruitment, conducted from October 21 to November 4, aims to rectify past discrepancies.
WBCSCC chairman Siddhartha Majumdar emphasizes a fair and transparent recruitment process in compliance with court orders. However, a group of TET- and SSC-qualified candidates continues a 600-day protest in the Esplanade area of the city, demanding teaching jobs.
State education minister Bratya Basu urges protesting candidates to trust the government, assuring compliance with court orders and the creation of new positions. Candidates who underwent interviews remain concerned, considering this their last opportunity, hoping for a transparent and fair recruitment process.
