CM Mamata's assurance to teachers dispels school disruption fears

SNS, Hooghly, 7 April 2025: After the Supreme Court's verdict cancelling the entire 2016 teachers' recruitment panel, most of the deserving and undeserving teachers stopped attending regular classes. However, the state education department has not yet issued any notification terminating their services or banning the affected teachers from attending their duties. This sudden absence of teachers has reportedly hampered normal academic activities in government-aided schools in the district. A few schools were left with no other option than to temporarily close down their higher secondary sections.

On Monday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee verbally urged the deserving teachers to continue imparting lessons voluntarily in their respective schools, abiding by the verdict of the apex court until the disposal of a review petition on the matter. Her assurance came as a great relief for the heads of educational institutions in the district.

In response to the development, panicked parents and guardians said: "The regular studies of the students should not be affected due to the legal tangles. It is the responsibility of all concerned to ensure that students are not deprived of regular classes." The Headmaster of Rishra Vidyapith, Mr. Pramod Tiwari, the Headmistress of Serampore Girls' High School, Dr. Ivy Sarkar, and other heads of educational institutions said, "We want the smooth running of our schools without any disruptions."

Mr. Pramod Tiwari added: "We expect specific guidelines from the State Education Department regarding the teachers who have lost their jobs. Henceforth, they will render their services voluntarily, so that we can run the institutions without hindrance." The parents and guardians have reportedly welcomed the assurance given by the Chief Minister for the unhindered running of schools in the district.Mamata Banerjee Pledges Support to Terminated Teachers, Vows to Fight for Justice

MP, Kolkata, 7 April 2025: Extending her support to thousands of teaching and non-teaching staff who lost their jobs following the Supreme Court’s verdict in the SSC recruitment case, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee pledged to uphold the rights of the “eligible candidates” affected by the decision. Banerjee made the commitment to continue advocating for justice, stating she would persist in her efforts for the affected teachers and staff, even if it meant facing imprisonment.

The Supreme Court, on April 3, upheld a Calcutta High Court order that invalidated the appointments of 25,753 teachers and staff recruited by the West Bengal School Service Commission in 2016. The ruling has caused significant disruption, and Banerjee expressed her resolve to support the dismissed employees through this crisis.

During a meeting with the affected teachers on Monday, Banerjee urged them to continue their work at the schools where they were appointed. "The government has not sent you termination letters. You can continue to teach the students,” she said, stressing that nobody could prevent them from providing "voluntary service" while the legal process unfolded.

Banerjee assured the teachers that she would first focus on securing jobs for the "genuine teachers," and then review the evidence against the accused tainted teachers. "If the evidence is factual, we cannot help, but if we find any loopholes, we will look into it,” she added. She also suggested that a small group of teachers meet with the state Education Minister Bratya Basu for further clarifications on the matter.

"I will stand by those who have lost their jobs in an unjust manner. I don’t care what others think. I will do everything to restore your dignity. We have separate plans to ensure eligible candidates don’t become jobless or suffer a break in service," Banerjee assured.

In response to the ruling, she emphasized that the state government was exploring all possible legal avenues, including seeking modifications to the judgment and other reliefs for those affected. Banerjee confirmed that the state would prepare to challenge the Supreme Court verdict and announced that a legal team, including prominent apex court lawyers such as Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Kapil Sibal, Rakesh Dwivedi, Kalyan Banerjee, and Prashant Bhushan, would fight the teachers' case.

Drawing attention to the disparity between Bengal’s case and other national issues, Banerjee cited the example of the all-India medical entrance exam NEET. "The Supreme Court must clarify who is deserving and who is not. Give us the list. No one has the right to break the education system," she said. She further questioned why Bengal was being targeted, pointing out that in the Vyapam case in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh, where 89 people lost their lives, justice has not yet been served.

Banerjee also expressed concern over the alleged "dirty game" being played to disrupt the state’s education system. "A dirty game is being played by some people. One should figure out the real faces behind the masks. Many are trying to mislead people with false information," she said.

In a direct rebuke to the Opposition, Banerjee accused the CPI(M) of playing a role in the court case, which led to the termination of many teachers. "I have never knowingly taken a job away from anyone, not even from those associated with the CPI(M). My slogan back then was ‘No Revenge, Only Change.’ Yet, lawyers of the CPI(M), like Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, moved court to ensure that so many people lose their jobs. He must answer. They do not have the power to give jobs, but are taking away jobs. Shame on them," she remarked.

Banerjee concluded her address by assuring the affected teachers that the state administration would continue to support them, providing both legal and emotional backing during this turbulent period.