The Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, is set to challenge the Calcutta High Court's decision to cancel the jobs of approximately 36,000 primary teachers in state-sponsored and -aided schools.

She advised the teachers without a job, as well as their families, not to feel down as the government was with them. The families had been making appeals to the government.

According to Banerjee, the teachers who lost their jobs were affected by the state government employees' ongoing agitation for a DA (dearness allowance) hike to match the central government staff.

The teacher appointments were cancelled by Calcutta High Court on Friday (12 May) due to improper procedures followed during the appointment process.

"This is our responsibility and we will fight this matter as per legal terms," the Chief Minister said, vowing to challenge the order.

She denied claims of inadequate training for the teachers, adding, "But I will not support corruption or criminal activity."

The Calcutta High Court allowed the West Bengal Board of Primary Education to appeal against the cancellation order that revoked the primary teacher appointments.

Around 36,000 untrained (at the time) primary teacher candidates had their appointments cancelled by Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay. He said "corruption of this magnitude" was never known in West Bengal.

The board's recommended teachers from the 2016 selection process who attained employment will, however, be permitted to work for four months from 12 May with a para teacher's salary, as directed by the single bench.

The court ordered the board to hold a recruitment exercise within three months for 2016 appointment process candidates and those who acquired new training qualifications.

State-sponsored schools

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