Kolkata: The state School Service Commission on Tuesday started the verification process for assistant teachers for classes XI-XII, who had recently appeared for the recruitment exams after losing their jobs following an SC order in April. The exercise was launched amid the controversy over awarding 10 marks as ‘an experience score' to the teachers who had lost their jobs.
Around 700 candidates for Bengali subject were called on the first day. Among them, most were from the 2016 panel, while some were freshers, too.
Suparna Pal, who used to teach Bengali at Banasam High School in Pathar Pratima, on Tuesday visited the SSC office, along with her husband and her month-old baby. She had joined the school in 2019 after qualifying from the 2016 panel. Her husband, Sumit Naskar, was seen rocking the infant in his arms as Pal went in for her verification. "We were pushed into the ordeal. I gave birth only a few days after appearing for the fresh test," said Pal, who had to nurse her child before going into the office. Naskar, a college teacher, said, "It was difficult for her to study as she was heavily pregnant but she did not give up."
Piyali Ghosh, another candidate from the 2016 panel, also arrived with her month-old baby. "After so many challenges, I hope to get my job back," said Ghosh, who came from Hooghly with her mother.
Murshidabad resident Renuka Khatun arrived with her husband, Lalan Mandal, and their one-and-a-half-year-old son. "We arrived a day earlier as Renuka had to report early on Tuesday," Lalan said, looking after their child as Renuka went inside the SSC office.
Freshers had a different worry. Sukhendu Ghosh, who appeared for the exam for the first time, said, "If the number of vacancies is not increased, it will be difficult for us to compete with the 2016 candidates."
The sacked teachers from the 2016 panel felt the controversy of 10 marks was unnecessarily. Malda's Abira Das, who had joined a school in Serampore in 2019, said, "Freshers are questioning the experience score as they, too, waited for nine years. But they should understand we are suffering for months." Sabina Khatun, another 2016 candidate, said, "I am happy that I got a call but worried for my ex-colleagues names are not on the list." The verification will be on till Dec 4.