WBSSC to reissue 2016 recruitment notice by May 29 on SC orders amid teacher protests

The West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) will publish a fresh notification for the 2016 recruitment cycle by May 28 or 29, in compliance with the Supreme Court’s directive. This notification will initiate a new recruitment process for teaching and non-teaching positions and is expected to cover all 22 lakh candidates who had appeared for the original examination.

On April 3, the Supreme Court cancelled 25,753 appointments made through the 2016 selection process, terming it “corrupt and flawed.” The apex court directed the state government to begin a fresh recruitment cycle by May 31 and complete it by December 31. It also mandated the submission of a compliance affidavit to confirm the start of the process.

A senior official from the WBSSC confirmed that a draft of the new notification is being prepared and will soon be filed with the Supreme Court. The official clarified that the notification is being issued based on the court’s order and not in response to ongoing protests by dismissed teachers. The recruitment will be open to all candidates who took the original 2016 exam.

Meanwhile, protests by dismissed teachers continue across various locations. Many of these individuals are demanding permanent reinstatement and are opposed to the idea of reappearing for the examination. Some of the teachers whose names had been forwarded to the District Inspector of Schools have already resumed duties, while others have declined to do so.

On Thursday, a group of protestors under the banner of 'Deserving Teachers Rights Forum' demonstrated outside Education Minister Bratya Basu’s residence. They demanded a quick resolution from the state government. One protestor, Bithin Das, said, “We passed the exam nine years ago. Now asking us to take the exam again is injustice. Will state officials be asked to retake the civil services exam?” Police later dispersed the demonstrators. WBSSC and the state government have filed review petitions in the Supreme Court, but officials clarified that this will not delay the fresh notification.