State has to secure our jobs, we can’t write exams again: Teachers
Times of India | 28 May 2025
12 Kolkata: State school teachers, who have lost their jobs following a Supreme Court order in April, insisted they would not appear for exams again to get their jobs back. But they did not close the door on further talks and expressed their desire to meet CM Mamata Banerjee to clear their doubts. Banerjee on Tuesday announced fresh recruitment process for state schools, pointing out 44,203 posts —24,000 vacant posts due to the court order and 20,000 new—had been created, for which those who had lost their jobs as well as freshers could apply. But, she clarified, everyone had to take the exam, though she said "job experience" would be rewarded for those who had lost their jobs and the cap on age would also be relaxed for them. After the CM's announcement, Brindaban Ghosh, a teacher, told reporters: "The govt is reluctant to secure jobs of eligible teachers. The CM's speeches on April 7 and today are contradictory. She spoke about legal implications. The decision of age relaxation and rewarding our experience is a welcome decision, but the state has to secure our jobs as we can't appear for a fresh exam at this stage." But the CM urged teachers to appear for the exam. She said, "You have to wait for the review petition. Not taking the exam won't work... This is not our directive, it's the SC order. If you don't take the exam and at the same time, the review plea doesn't have a favourable judgment, you won't have a chance to get your job back." But teachers seemed firm in their stand against taking exams. Rakesh Alam, a teacher, said, "If they allow fresh candidates, we will have to sit for the exam with our students." Arpita Mandal, a teacher from north Bengal, who has been on the street for the past 21 days, said, "This announcement is a death penalty. We have worked for seven-eight years, and now we have been asked to appear for recruitment again. Is this an option?" Many jobless staffers demanded to see the order. Satyajit Dhar, a clerk, said, "A major portion of her announcement is for teachers, it is important to see the order." A section, who claimed an OMR mismatch, was also upset. Among them, Ritesh Ghosh, said, "The CM said the state would file a review plea for all but she didn't say anything about solving our issues."