WBBSE approaches SC seeking modification in order terminating 25,753 school jobs

IANS April 7, 2025 318 views

The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) has approached the Supreme Court seeking modification of an order that cancelled 25,753 school job appointments. The apex court previously upheld the Calcutta High Court's decision to nullify these appointments due to alleged irregularities in the recruitment process. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has promised to seek clarifications and help affected candidates, while Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari has challenged the government's approach. The case highlights significant challenges in the state's educational recruitment system and ongoing legal disputes.

"Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee often claims to be a lawyer. So I request her to personally appear in the apex court" - Suvendu Adhikari
Kolkata, April 7: West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) on Monday approached the Supreme Court seeking a modification to its earlier order cancelling 25,753 appointments made by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC).

Key Points

1

Supreme Court upholds Calcutta High Court order cancelling WBSSC appointments

2

WBBSE seeks modification to allow 'genuine' candidates to work

3

Opposition questions state government's candidate classification method

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Mamata Banerjee promises to seek apex court clarifications

The apex court’s Division Bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI), Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, recently upheld an earlier order by the Calcutta High Court’s Division Bench of Justice Debangsu Basak and Justice Shabbar Rashidi cancelling 25,753 appointments made by the WBSSC.

In the petition, the WBBSE has stated that till the time the fresh recruitment process as directed by the court last week is completed, those candidates who have been identified as “genuine” should be allowed to attend to their duties.

However, there is confusion on this particular plea by the Board since the apex court last week accepted the earlier observation by the Calcutta High Court that all the 25,753 appointments had to be cancelled because of the failure of the state government/commission to segregate genuine candidates from the tainted ones who allegedly got jobs by paying money.

Even Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, questioned the basis on which the state government derived the number of genuine candidates.

He said that the state government should furnish at the apex court two lists, one of genuine candidates and the other of tainted ones along with relevant details.

“Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee often claims to be a lawyer. So I request her to personally appear in the apex court while making a review petition of the order and submit the lists of ‘genuine’ and ‘tainted’ candidates to the court,” he said.

Earlier in the day, while addressing a meeting with job-losers at Netaji Indoor Stadium in central Kolkata, CM Mamata Banerjee claimed that the state government would seek clarifications from the apex court on the exact division in genuine and tainted candidates.

She also said that the state government would seek clarifications from the apex court on what needs to be done with the existing teachers till the time the fresh recruitment process starts through examinations.

At the meeting, CM Banerjee also asked those hit by the apex court’s ruling to give voluntary service at their respective schools during the interim period.

Reader Comments

R
Rahul S.
This is such a messy situation. How can they not have proper records of genuine vs tainted candidates? The government needs to be more transparent about their selection process. Feel bad for the honest candidates caught in this.
P
Priya M.
Asking teachers to work voluntarily is unfair! They have families to feed. The government should at least provide some interim compensation. 😔
A
Amit K.
While I understand the need to clean up corruption, the court should consider the students' education too. Sudden removal of so many teachers will disrupt studies.
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Sunita R.
The opposition leader makes a valid point. If the CM is so confident about genuine candidates, why not present clear evidence? Transparency is key here. 👏
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Neha P.
My cousin was one of the affected teachers. She worked hard for years to get this job and now this uncertainty. The system has failed honest people. 😢
D
Deepak B.
Respectfully, I think the court made the right call. Corruption in teacher appointments affects education quality. Tough measures are needed to clean the system.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Tags:
WBBSE Supreme Court School Jobs Mamata Banerjee West Bengal Recruitment Controversy Suvendu Adhikari
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