Hiring of Teachers In Bengal after 9 years: Over 3 lakh candidates in Bengal to take teacher’s recruitment exam today, but SSC is on test

This time, the WBSSC, under the scanner, has taken a slew of stringent security measures for the examinations that will be conducted in two parts: On Sunday (September 7), 3,19,919 candidates will take the exam for the post of 23,312 teachers for classes 9-10 across 636 centres. A week later, on September 14, 2.46 lakh candidates will appear for the recruitment of 12,514 posts of teachers for classes 11-12 across 478 examination centres in the state.

According to WBSSC chairperson Siddharta Majumdar, question papers and answer-sheets, this time, will have bar codes and other security features so that if a picture of the question paper is taken to leak it, the Commission will be able to identify within 30 minutes the candidate from whose paper the photograph was taken, resulting in the cancellation of the exam.

There will be separate security features in the question paper and OMR sheet of each examinee, the chairperson claimed. The frisking at the entry of all the examination centres has also been enhanced.

“All candidates have been asked to reach their examination centres by 10 am as there will be elaborate security checks. Candidates will have to pass through metal detectors. There will be separate enclosures for checking women candidates,” Majumdar said at a press conference on the eve of the exam on Saturday.

“There is a barcode in the admit cards for security reasons. The barcodes will help us know if it was downloaded from our website or whether it’s a fake one. If the photograph on the admit cards is not clear enough, the candidates need to bring their original identity card and self-attested photo identity cards for identification and verification purposes,” he said without specifying the security feature.

“Wishing all candidates the very best… The entire administration is always with you to ensure the security, transparency, and all possible facilities in 636 venues so that you will deliver your best. Reach your center on time. Best wishes to all.”
Bratya Basu,  Education Minister on X on Saturday

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“The examinees will be allowed to carry a transparent file with their admit card and either their Aadhaar or voter card. Pen will be allowed, and only transparent water bottles. If the examinee carries anything else that cannot be taken inside the examination centre, they need to submit it in the cloak room. The examination will begin at 12 noon. No one will be allowed to enter the examination hall after 12 noon,” said the chairman.

Also, everyone will be instructed to deposit their mobile phones with the exam centre in-charge. “Not only candidates, but invigilators and venue in-charge will also not be allowed to take their mobile phone or any electronic device inside the examination halls, he said.

Outlining the schedule, the chairperson said that while the question papers will reach the centres by 10.30 am in sealed packets, the control room will be operational from 8 am.

“The spaces one to five on the OMR sheet must be filled in. Otherwise, it will be considered invalid, and candidates will be allowed to take the carbon copy of the OMR sheet back with them,” he said, adding that no two candidates, sitting next to each other, will have the same set of question paper.

The WBSSC on Friday published a notification to fill 35,726 teaching posts in state-run secondary and higher secondary schools across the state.

An official said the notice accounts for the 17 per cent OBC quota as per the state government’s reservation policy, in addition to posts for general category candidates.

PTI adds: Chief Secretary Manoj Pant reviewed arrangements across the state and instructed all district magistrates to oversee the entire process with utmost diligence, an official said.

Chief Secretary Manoj Pant

During the review meeting, Pant sought comprehensive updates from each district on preparedness and identifying “potential problem areas”, he said.

He also stressed the importance of coordination between district administrations and examination authorities to ensure the exams proceed without disruption, the official said.

Representatives of the Education Department and Majumdar were present at the meeting.

“To further support candidates, the state has instructed all relevant departments to ensure uninterrupted transportation and essential services on the examination days, aiming to prevent any inconvenience to examinees,” the official said.

“Officers have also been directed to remain vigilant on roads and near exam centres throughout the day to address any unforeseen issues swiftly,” he said.

1 held for fake news on paper leak

Paschim Medinipur police on Saturday said that one person was arrested from Chandrakona for allegedly spreading false information on social media about the sale of question papers to teacher recruitment candidates.