Non-appointed para-teachers protest in South Dinajpur

After the appointments of a few para-teachers were cancelled by the West Bengal Board of Primary Education on Monday, around 55 para-teachers started demonstrating in front of the district board of primary education and district inspector's (primary) office at South Dinajpur district, demanding back their job.

It may be mentioned that the West Bengal Board of Primary Education clarified the matter on Tuesday that the candidates could not submit the engagement certificates within the stipulated time and it was not possible for the Board to appoint them even as non-para-teachers.

However, an Education department source revealed that the state government is not likely to take such a strong action against the para-teachers. The government will try to look at a permanent solution of this issue.

The West Bengal Board of Primary Education informed that only 10 percent vacancies were in every district for para-teachers. The protestors passed the Teachers' Eligibility Test (TET) but chose the option of para-teachers while filling up the form. But they could not submit the Engagement Certificate which is provided by the District Project Officer (DPO).

"We have to work in accordance with the instructions given by the West Bengal Board of Primary Education. We have sent them the letter of cancelation of appointment. But we do not have any knowledge about their reappointment. We'll notify them as soon as we get that message," said Suniti Sanpui, District Inspector (Primary).

It may also be mentioned that 1,089 candidates were provided appointments as teachers and para-teachers in mid-February by the West Bengal Board of Primary Education. The appointees were given postings in 1,169 primary schools in South Dinajpur.

But 55 para-teachers could not submit their engagement certificates, thus, their appointments were later cancelled. Meanwhile, the protesting para-teachers threatened of a bigger protest in the future.

It should be recalled that the Calcutta high court gave the direction to the state government to publish the results of the Teachers' Eligibility Test in August last year, which was pending for a while.