Private school teachers move Calcutta High Court demanding 10 marks for prior teaching experience in SSC recruitment. Hearing on November 28.
By Pralay Chatterjee — Veritas Times, Kolkata
A group of teachers from privately-run schools in West Bengal has filed a petition with the Calcutta High Court seeking to obtain 10 additional marks for prior teaching experience in the ongoing recruitment process for Class XI-XII teacher posts in government-aided schools. The hearing is scheduled for November 28.
The crux of the petition
The petitioners argue that teachers who have been working in private schools, approved by the state government, should be eligible for the 10-marks “teaching experience” benefit that the School Service Commission (SSC) has accorded in the selection process.
Advocate Firdaus Shamim, representing the private‐school teachers, stated that because these private schools are “approved by the state”, their teaching experience should count under the selection criteria.
SSC’s Stand
Counsel for the SSC, Advocate Kalyan Bandyopadhyay, argued that the recruitment rules issued on May 30 clearly restrict the 10 marks for teaching experience to those working in government-aided or government-sponsored schools. Private school teachers, according to the SSC view, do not qualify under these rules.
An official from the state Education Department added that although private schools may hold a no‐objection certificate (NOC) from the government to operate, that does not make them part of the state education system. Hence, experience there does not automatically translate into eligibility for the marks benefit.
Timeline and Current Status
The test for shortlisting candidates (Class XI-XII teachers) was held on September 14.
The SSC published a preliminary list of candidates eligible for interview, based on combined scores from the selection test (60 marks), academic qualification (10 marks), and teaching experience (10 marks).
The petition’s hearing is set for November 28 in the Calcutta High Court. Concurrently, the issue of awarding those 10 marks for experience is also being heard by the Supreme Court of India on November 25, which could impact the state process.
Significance and Implications
This case raises several important questions for the teaching‐profession and recruitment systems in West Bengal:
Equity for Teaching Experience: Many teachers in private, approved schools feel they have contributed significantly to schooling and should be credited similarly to government-aided school teachers.
Clarity of Rules: The recruitment rules appear precise in limiting the benefit to government‐aided/government‐sponsored schools, yet the petitioners argue their schools’ “approval” should suffice.
Potential Precedent: A favourable decision for the private‐school teachers could open the door to similar claims in future recruitments, altering the landscape of teacher selection in the state.
Legal Ramifications: The Supreme Court’s upcoming decision may influence how the High Court approaches the matter, giving this case broader resonance beyond just one recruitment cycle.
What to Watch
On November 25, if the Supreme Court rules on the experience‐marks issue, the Calcutta High Court may take note or stay its own proceeding accordingly.
On November 28, the High Court’s decision, whether to grant stay, dismiss the petition, or ask for further arguments, will impact the shortlisted candidates and future policy.
Whether the SSC and the state education body will revisit the recruitment rules (or their interpretation) in light of any judgment.
How this may affect teachers currently in private schools, especially those eyeing government‐aided school posts in future.
The case underscores how seemingly smaller components of a recruitment scheme, such as awarding experience marks, can become flashpoints for wider systemic issues around teacher recognition, equity and state policy in the education sector.