May 6, 2025 9:34 am
Full News

26,000 Teachers Lose Jobs in West Bengal—Who Will Teach the Students?

The abrupt cancellation of nearly 26,000 teaching and non-teaching staff jobs has plunged West Bengal’s school education system into crisis.

One such affected institution is the Birinchibari Surendranath Girls’ School in the remote Sunderbans area of Jharakhala. The school, which runs up to 12th grade, has 498 students.

Last week, when India’s Supreme Court ordered the termination of nearly 26,000 school teachers and staff hired in 2016, the school’s headmistress Arusima Mitra was devastated.

She said, “Perhaps I should have first thought of my colleagues who lost their jobs. But believe me, the first thought that struck me was—what will happen to my students? Who will teach them now?”

No Teachers Left—Who Will Teach the Children?

Even before the ruling, the school had only nine teachers for nearly 500 students. Four of them have now lost their jobs due to the Supreme Court verdict.

“We were already struggling with just nine teachers. Everyone was overburdened. I personally took classes regularly,” said Headmistress Mitra. “Now, running the school has become extremely difficult.”

This situation is echoed across thousands of schools in West Bengal. In many cases, half or more of the staff are gone. Some schools had only one teacher—who also lost their job. Retired teachers have stepped in at some places. Many individuals on social media have offered to teach for free.

In schools lacking support staff, even the head teachers are ringing the school bells themselves. “We have no science or geography teachers. Who will prepare the students for their higher secondary exams next year? What will happen to their future?” asked Mitra.

Both ‘Qualified’ and ‘Unqualified’ Teachers Were Fired

The Supreme Court order did not differentiate between roughly 7,000 allegedly corrupt hires and those who earned their positions on merit. As a result, both categories lost their jobs.

Many were accused of getting jobs by bribery, including some who submitted blank answer sheets in recruitment exams. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has probed the matter. Former Education Minister Partha Chatterjee and several senior officials from the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) have been arrested. However, in the latest ruling, the Supreme Court didn’t separate the qualified from the unqualified.

Teachers have criticized the government, asking why the qualified and unqualified were not categorized properly despite earlier commitments and existing CBI reports identifying those who paid bribes.

“Even the Supreme Court had earlier said it would define the criteria for distinguishing between qualified and unqualified candidates,” said Mehbub Mondal, a teacher from Dhosha Chandaneswar High School in South 24 Parganas and convenor of the Qualified Teachers’ Rights Forum.

He added, “Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recently said she would try to reinstate the qualified teachers, but she also hinted at rehabilitating the unqualified ones—which we strongly oppose.”

Teachers: Victims of Political Game

Many teachers believe they are victims of political conspiracies. Mehbub Mondal said, “While we—the qualified teachers—were terminated, the same Supreme Court rejected a CBI probe into the government’s creation of excess job positions.”

This implies that the state cabinet’s alleged backdoor plan to rehire corrupt hires could still proceed, shielding them from legal scrutiny.

“We ordinary people have been scapegoated for political gain ahead of the next state elections,” said Mondal. He blamed institutional failure and pointed fingers at the state government.

Brutality Against Teachers

While the controversy over the job terminations rages, police brutality against protesting teachers has added fuel to the fire. A video showing a police officer kicking a teacher during a protest in Kolkata sparked public outrage.

The Kolkata Police Commissioner and Chief Secretary had to hold a press conference. Commissioner Manoj Verma said only “mild force

Related News
Gaza deal after 96 hours of tense talks: US official
Tahawwur Rana Extradited to India in Connection with Mumbai Attacks
Lebanese Christian Leader Calls on US and Allies to Intervene and Dismantle Hezbollah
Zelensky ready to exchange ‘North Korean troops’ with Ukrainians held in Russia
Israel Seizes Land in Golan Heights Following Assad’s Fall
Trump and Putin Agree on the Need for a Permanent Peace Agreement to End the Ukraine War
Related Posts
Bangladeshi High Court Issues Rule on Bail for Journalist Shyamal Dutta
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Calls for Regional Stability, Condemns Indian Actions After Pahalgam Incident
Export Income Hits Lowest in April in 10 Months, RMG Sector Also Affected in Banglades
Credit Flow Lowest in 21 Years; Domestic Investment Sees Downturn in Bangladesh
Registration of 118,000 Newly Arrived Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar—No Space Left in Camps
Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire Possible “At Any Moment
More News

Asia Redefines Global Energy Trends with Record Renewable Growth and Ambitious 2030 Goals

In an unprecedented move, Asia is redefining the global energy landscape by balancing its surging energy demand with an urgent need for sustainability. A recent in-depth analysis reveals the continent’s remarkable strides and challenges in its energy transformation journey, highlighting key trends that are reshaping the future. Key Insights: This report serves as a crucial […]

Nobel Laureate Nihon Hidankyo Urges Youth to Lead Fight for a Nuclear-Free World

Nobel Peace Prize Awarded to Hiroshima and Nagasaki Survivors’ Group Nihon Hidankyo OSLO – Nihon Hidankyo, a group representing survivors of the 1945 atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, was honored with this year’s Nobel Peace Prize for its tireless advocacy for a nuclear-free world. The award was presented on Tuesday at a ceremony in […]

Orban Invites Netanyahu to Hungary as ICC Arrest Warrant Divides Europe

Budapest: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban extended an invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, ensuring him safe passage in Hungary despite the recent International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant issued for alleged war crimes in Gaza. Meanwhile, several European nations stated they would detain Netanyahu if he entered their territories, reflecting the […]

Bollywood Condemns Pahalgam Terror Attack That Killed 26 Tourists

Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir – A horrifying terrorist attack in Pahalgam on Tuesday afternoon left at least 26 tourists dead and 20 others injured. The attack, which took place around 3 PM in the scenic Baisaran Valley, has drawn widespread condemnation from across the country, with Bollywood celebrities joining political leaders in expressing sorrow, rage, […]

Trump’s Return: A Turning Point for Middle East Policies?

Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House raises both hope and concern across the Middle East, as his leadership could reshape U.S. foreign policy in one of the world’s most volatile regions. Known for his unorthodox, transactional approach to diplomacy and a preference for aligning with strongman leaders, a Trump presidency could lead to […]

Trump Proposes Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health Secretary

Kennedy, a former presidential candidate who subsequently supported President-Elect Trump, expresses skepticism regarding conventional health advice, including vaccinations and the addition of fluoride to water. It is unclear whether the Senate, even if it is Republican-controlled, will confirm him. Trump announced his nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the Health and Human Services […]

U.S. Sanctions on Russia Should Not Affect Oil Trade with India, Says Russian Deputy Energy Minister

February 11, 2025 – U.S. sanctions on Russia are not expected to impact Moscow’s oil trade with India, according to Pavel Sorokin, Russia’s first deputy energy minister. Speaking at the India Energy Week conference on Tuesday, Sorokin emphasized that it is too early to assess the full impact of the latest restrictions. Following Western sanctions […]

‘Moana 2’ Breaks Disney Animation Preview Record with $13.8M

The highly anticipated Moana 2 has shattered records, earning an impressive $13.8 million in its Tuesday previews. This is the highest preview number ever for a Walt Disney Animation movie, surpassing the previous record held by Incredibles 2 from Pixar, which earned $18.5 million. It’s especially impressive given that Incredibles 2 opened in the summer, […]

Elton John Reveals Loss of Sight After Eye Infection

Elton John has shared that he has lost his sight due to an eye infection. While attending a West End gala performance of The Devil Wears Prada: The Musical, which he wrote the lyrics for, Elton explained that he could not see the show but was able to enjoy listening to it. At the charity […]

Political Violence in Bangladesh Increased in January: MSF

The number of casualties in political violence in the country has increased in January compared to last December. Although there is no political activity, the number of casualties in the violence caused by the internal conflict for their supremacy has increased, as well as the number of political leaders and activists killed by miscreants has […]