Foolproof security, seamless exam as 91% candidates take SSC
Times of India | 8 September 2025
Kolkata: After nine years since the 2016 state-level selection test (SLST) for assistant teacher recruitment, the West Bengal School Service Commission conducted the first part of the second SLST for classes IX-X seamlessly on Sunday.
The test for classes XI-XII is slated on next Sunday. A total of 3.2 lakh candidates enrolled for the class IX-X recruitment test, with 91% appearing on Sunday, the SSC stated in a statement.
Following the Supreme Court order on April 3, which cancelled the 2016 recruitment panel of 25,573 teachers and staff, a second SLST exam for classes IX-X recruitment for 23,212 vacancies was conducted. After the SC order, sacked teachers, along with fresh candidates for classes IX-X, wrote their exams under the highest level of security arrangements.
After the one-and-a-half-hour examination, state education minister, Bratya Basu, wrote on his X handle, saying, "My sincere congratulations to all candidates, WBSSC, the school education department, and all officials involved. The entire administration also looks forward to extending all possible support to ensure that next Sunday's examination for recruiting assistant teachers for classes XI-XII is conducted with utmost security, clarity, and transparency.
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After the exam, SSC issued a statement saying the first day's examination was held smoothly, while around 9% of the total number of candidates were absent. Long queues and huge gatherings outside the exam halls were reported since early morning on Sunday. Most of the sacked teachers were seen appearing for the examination. Prominent faces of the teachers' movement also appeared for the exam at their respective centres.
Munmun Haldar from Bhangar, South 24 Parganas, said, "As we heard so many things about corruption, I am a little bit concerned. This time, the recruitment should be based on merit only, nothing else."
Madhumita Mandal, who appeared in the 2016 SLST but was on the waiting list, said, "My name was on the waiting list despite writing well in the exam due to corruption. I protested for justice. I don't expect to perform as well as I did in 2016 after so long.
But the exam is being conducted following court orders. This time, I am hopeful that the recruitment will be made based on merits only, keeping the entire process transparent.
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A teacher, who was found sobbing while entering a centre in south Kolkata, said, "I am devastated. Do you think it is so easy to appear for a fresh test after teaching for so many years where I have to compete with fresh candidates? I don't know what will happen."
Tuhina Parvin Mandal, a sacked teacher from the 2016 panel, said, "We feel deprived. In 2016, I appeared for the exam and secured a job based on my merit. But, after so many years, I suddenly lost the job for which I had no clue. I tried my best to concentrate, and the paper was good, but I don't know whether this time I will crack it because this time we had very little time for preparations." Biswajit Bera, a fresh examinee, said, "After seeing so many things related to this exam, I am a bit apprehensive.
But I am hopeful that the same issues will not be repeated."