32000 Teacher Verdict: 32000 Primary Teachers Retain Jobs as High Court Division Bench Grants Relief
32000 Teacher Verdict: The cloud of uncertainty hovering over the primary education sector in West Bengal has finally cleared. In a landmark verdict that brings immense relief to thousands, the Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court has overturned the previous order cancelling the jobs of 32,000 primary teachers. Following months of anxiety and legal battles, the High Court on Wednesday confirmed that these teachers will retain their positions, setting aside the earlier directive issued by former Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay.
The verdict was delivered around 2:24 PM by the Division Bench comprising Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty and Justice Ritabrata Mitra. The courtroom was packed to capacity with lawyers, petitioners, and anxious teachers awaiting the judgment. As the judges signed and read out the order, a wave of relief swept through the concerned families, marking a significant turn in the state’s recruitment saga.
Background of the Case
The controversy stems from the primary teacher recruitment process of 2016, which was based on the 2014 Teacher Eligibility Test (TET). Approximately 42,500 teachers were recruited across primary schools in the state during this drive. However, shortly after the appointments, serious allegations of corruption and procedural irregularities surfaced.
Petitioners alleged that untrained candidates were favored over trained ones and that statutory rules were flouted. Taking cognizance of these allegations, on May 12, 2023, the then Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay had ordered the termination of nearly 32,000 teachers, citing massive irregularities. This order was subsequently challenged in the Division Bench.
Key Highlights of the Verdict
The Division Bench’s ruling is seen as a major victory for the affected teachers and the state administration. Below is a summary of the key aspects of the judgment:
| Key Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Judicial Bench | Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty & Justice Ritabrata Mitra |
| The Verdict | Order cancelling 32,000 jobs has been set aside |
| Previous Order | Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay’s ruling overruled |
| Recruitment Year | 2016 Recruitment Process |
Allegations and Legal Arguments
The legal battle was initiated by Priyanka Naskar and roughly 140 other job aspirants who questioned the transparency of the recruitment process. They argued that despite clearing the 2014 TET and appearing for interviews in 2016, they were unfairly denied jobs.
The primary allegations raised by the petitioners included:
- Absence of Aptitude Tests: It was alleged that the mandatory aptitude tests were not conducted properly, and there were no clear guidelines for the same.
- Untrained Candidates Favored: Petitioners claimed that while NCTE rules mandate preference for trained candidates, the merit panel was filled with untrained individuals.
- Violation of Reservation Rules: There were accusations that the reservation norms for SC, ST, and OBC categories were not strictly adhered to during the selection process.
- Panel Discrepancies: The petitioners pointed out inconsistencies in the score breakdown provided by the Board, claiming that candidates with lower scores than the petitioners were awarded jobs.
During the hearings, the court had summoned detailed lists and score breakdowns from the Primary Education Board. The Board stated the cut-off was 14.191, a figure contested by the petitioners who claimed to have scored higher. Despite these heated arguments and the Single Bench’s drastic measure to cancel the appointments, the Division Bench has now restored the jobs, stating that the mass termination was not the correct course of action. This verdict allows the 32,000 teachers to continue their service without the immediate fear of unemployment.
