In a major development for thousands of disqualified teaching aspirants in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, that a fresh recruitment notification for school teachers will be released by May 31, providing age relaxation and recognition of prior experience for those who lost their jobs following the School Service Commission (SSC) recruitment controversy.

This declaration came amid continued protests and rising public concern following the Supreme Court’s verdict that cancelled thousands of appointments made through the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC), citing procedural irregularities and large-scale corruption.

Commitment to Justice and Fairness

Speaking from Kolkata, CM Mamata Banerjee emphasized her government’s commitment to delivering justice to affected candidates while respecting the Supreme Court’s directives.

“We want teachers to get back their jobs. We have already filed a review petition in the Supreme Court,” said Mamata Banerjee during her press address.

She reiterated that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government remains deeply empathetic toward the candidates whose lives have been disrupted due to the SSC recruitment scam and the legal aftermath that followed.

Key Announcements by Mamata Banerjee:

1. Fresh Recruitment Notification by May 31:
   The West Bengal School Education Department is expected to release a comprehensive recruitment notice by May 31, 2025. The notification will include vacancies for school teachers across categories, including primary and secondary levels.

2. Age Relaxation for Disqualified Candidates:
   One of the most significant relief measures announced is age relaxation for those whose appointments were cancelled. Many candidates had already crossed the maximum eligible age for government jobs, and this move aims to ensure their continued eligibility.

3. Recognition of Past Teaching Experience:
   Teachers who were in service before the court’s cancellation order will also receive credit for their teaching experience during re-application. This measure ensures that candidates are not unfairly penalized for the disruption caused by the judicial intervention.

Background: The SSC Recruitment Controversy

The West Bengal SSC recruitment scam has been one of the most high-profile controversies in recent years. Investigations by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) uncovered significant irregularities and corruption in the appointment process of over 25,000 teaching and non-teaching staff.

In May 2025, the Supreme Court upheld a Calcutta High Court ruling that deemed the recruitment process invalid and ordered the termination of thousands of appointments, citing procedural violations, bribes, and favoritism.

This decision impacted thousands of families and sparked widespread protests, particularly from candidates who had been working in schools for over five years and had now lost both income and service status.

A Ray of Hope for Disqualified Candidates

The CM's announcement has been met with a mixed response. Many affected teachers see the decision as a ray of hope after weeks of uncertainty. While the Supreme Court’s judgment is legally binding, the state’s effort to file a review petition shows its political and humanitarian stance.

“We are thankful for the government’s stand. At least now we are getting a chance to reapply with age relaxation,” said a disqualified teacher from North 24 Parganas.

Several education activists and civil society groups have also appreciated the age relaxation clause, stating that it preserves the future prospects of many candidates who had aged out of eligibility due to the long recruitment delays.

Legal and Political Repercussions

While the review petition in the Supreme Court is still pending, legal experts opine that reinstatement of terminated jobs may still be difficult unless gross miscarriage of justice is proven. However, the state’s move to initiate fresh, fair recruitment is being seen as a practical and proactive step in light of legal complexities.

On the political front, the move could work in favour of the TMC government, which has been under fire from the opposition BJP and civil society groups over alleged corruption in SSC appointments. With panchayat elections and 2026 assembly elections looming, the TMC’s decision to fast-track recruitments may help mitigate the damage.

“The government is trying to cover up its own wrongdoing. These measures are election gimmicks,” said a senior BJP leader in response to the CM’s announcement.

Next Steps

The West Bengal School Education Department is now tasked with finalizing the recruitment framework by May 31. The notification is expected to detail:

• Eligibility criteria (including age and experience clauses)

• Category-wise vacancies

• New recruitment procedure to ensure transparency

• Tentative exam dates and syllabus

The government has also hinted that special provisions might be made to ensure that meritorious and experienced disqualified candidates are given priority or reserved quotas under fair evaluation norms.

Broader Implications for Education in Bengal

This development could have long-term impacts on education in West Bengal. With thousands of teaching posts vacant, there is increasing pressure to restore normalcy in schools, especially in rural and semi-urban districts where the impact of terminations has been most visible.

Educationists have also expressed concern that the repeated disruptions in the SSC process have undermined public trust and impacted the academic performance of government schools.

A transparent and timely recruitment drive can help restore both academic consistency and morale among students and teachers.

In conclusion, CM Mamata Banerjee’s announcement of a fresh teacher recruitment notification by May 31 — with age relaxation and experience recognition — marks a significant step toward resolving the SSC controversy and addressing the grievances of thousands of disqualified educators. As the state waits for the new notification and the Supreme Court’s response to the review petition, affected candidates have a renewed sense of hope for justice and restoration.

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