Darjeeling, 19th July: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) President Bimal Gurung wrote to West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu requesting the recruitment of primary and upper primary school teachers in the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration region.
While the West Bengal Government has initiated to recruit primary and upper primary school teachers in the state, the GJM president urged Minister Bratya Basu to do the same in the hills as it would promote education at the ‘basic level while helping in solving the unemployment problem to a great extent.’
It is to be noted, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recently announced the decision to appoint teachers purely on merit and through a fair selection procedure. In this context, Gurung highlighted the TET (Teacher Eligibility Test) examination which was conducted on 14 February 2021 by the District Primary School Board of Darjeeling.
“…District Primary School Board of Darjeeling conducted a TET examination on 14 February 2021 without permission of the Government and without following proper norms of the NCTE (National Council For Teachers’ Education), wherein about 15,000 candidates have appeared. The GTA administration under the leadership of the then Chairman Anit Thapa has done a huge injustice to the innocent aspiring candidates who are now confused and in desperation,” Gurung wrote in the letter.
Reportedly, the recruitment of primary school teachers in the GTA region was last conducted in the year 2012 out of the interview held in the year 2002, except for the regularisation of 123 volunteer teachers in 2018.
“More than 656 vacancies are lying unfilled here in the Primary schools only. The placement in upper Primary schools is yet to be initiated,” the letter further stated.
The GJM President also urged the Education Minister to investigate the validity of the said TET examination of 14th February 2021 as it would clarify the confusion among the appearing candidates.
