Opinion

At least 3.19 lakh candidates took the School Level Selection Test (SLST) of the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) on Sunday, the state's first such teacher recruitment exam since the Supreme Court scrapped over 26,000 teaching and non-teaching jobs in April.

The apex court had termed the 2016 recruitment process "tainted and vitiated", prompting a fresh round of examinations.

The test, for assistant teacher posts in classes 9 and 10, was conducted at 636 centres across the state. It began at noon and ended at 1.30 pm, with an additional 20 minutes provided to specially abled candidates.

TIGHT SECURITY AND CHECKS

A three-tier security system was put in place to prevent malpractice.

The aspirants were required to report two hours earlier to the examination for comprehensive scrutiny, i.e., naka inspections outside, admit card bar code scanning, and disallowing bringing anything except pens provided at centres.

Mobile phones and other electronic devices were disallowed, even for officials and supervisors conducting the examination.

The WBSSC also introduced single-use security codes in each question paper. Even some of the teachers who had been removed from their jobs after the Supreme Court verdict came out to give the exam. One of the candidates, 55 years old, cried before entering the hall, saying, "Do you think that preparation like a young student is possible after serving as a teacher for seven years? I have no preparation, because mentally I am not in a position to take this pain."

POLITICAL SPAT OVER NON-STATE CANDIDATES

The exam also drew Bihar and Uttar Pradesh candidates, which created political outcry. Trinamool Congress spokesperson Kunal Ghosh criticized the BJP, saying candidates from "double-engine governments" came to Bengal because hiring was stopped in their states.

"No one ever wrote Bengal's exams are only for Bengalis. No one mocked or embarrassed them. No one screened them," he posted on X.

BJP MLC Sajal Ghosh countered that West Bengal candidates write exams in other states too. CPI(M) MLA Shatarup Ghosh alleged that the state government would now be levying "cut money" on outstation candidates.

SECOND PHASE OF EXAMS ON SEPTEMBER 14

WBSSC chairperson Siddhartha Majumdar maintained that another 2.46 lakh candidates would appear in the recruitment exam for assistant teachers of class 11 and 12 on September 14 at 478 centres.

The commission also denied 1,806 teachers who have been tagged 'tainted' from being part of the new process.

State Education Minister Bratya Basu assured the candidates of assistance, saying, "The entire administration is always with you to ensure security, transparency and all the facilities at 636 centers so that you give your best."

For convenience in travel, Kolkata Metro ran advance services on the Blue and Green lines.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in order to restrict substance use among students. The agreement, signed in CBSE offices at New Delhi, aims at establishing schools as a priority ground for prevention, awareness, and intervention.

The agreement lays down an overall framework of cooperation. Quarterly agendas of awareness, teacher and counsellor training sessions, e-learning courses, and community outreach have been put on the table.

MoU SETS FRAMEWORK FOR AWARENESS DRIVES

A pilot will be initiated in 100 CBSE schools, with a hub-and-spoke model to cover more numbers.

Anurag Garg, Director General, NCB, and Rahul Singh, Chairperson, CBSE, signed the MoU.

Speaking to the assembly, Anurag Garg highlighted the school's frontline position. He went on to say that anti-drug measures cannot be left entirely to police activity. Schools must become a part of the solution.

CBSE Chairperson Rahul Singh stressed the board's role in keeping students safe.

He said the board is ready to arm schools with facilities and data so prevention becomes not just a policy but a practice.

CBSE Secretary Himanshu Gupta spoke of providing schools with safe and secure zones.

He also linked the project with the Tele-MANAS, the government mental health care program, and said early intervention is as important as prevention.

In fact, what the MOU says is that schools would not merely rely on classroom teaching.

They will also be dynamic centers of drug-prevention activities, where teachers, parents, and students come together. Counselling service will be launched as a direct line of support.

AWARENESS PROGRAMMES

This was followed by a grand awareness programme conducted by over 500 principals, counsellors, and wellness teachers of CBSE schools. Two sessions framed the discussion.

Food Corporation of India Chairman and Managing Director Ashutosh Agnihotri addressed the issue of leadership in schools.

His argument was simple: schools should be guiding children not only academically, but in resisting societal problems.

Dr Anees C Deputy Director, NCB, spoke on the subject "Refuse the First Dose, Secure the Future." He demonstrated the chain of dangers of consuming drugs early and how schools, peers, and families can individually and collectively step in to sever it.

The programme was wound up with a question-answer session. Principals and counsellors asked questions, presented ground realities, and sought steps to enhance school-level interventions.

The collaboration with CBSE–NCB is a shift in strategy. It defines substance abuse as much of an educational and social problem as a law-and-order problem. 

By focusing on schools, the two organizations are betting on early awareness, preventive actions, and community support.

Should the pilot succeed, the pilot may establish how the education sector handles one of the most vital challenges facing young people today.

The Centre will work to train faculty members to become top-notch case method teachers and aid case development with funds, research support, editing, and review.

IIM Ahmedabad Launches Madan Mohanka Centre of Excellence in Case Method of Learning

The Centre's initiatives will range from training its faculty to be top-notch case method teachers to funding, researching, reviewing, and editing support for developing cases.

Professor Saral Mukherjee, Chairperson of the newly-opened Centre, stated, "With the opening of the centre dedicated to building the case pedagogy, IIMA wants to help young scholars and doctoral students learn how they can develop powerful learning experiences for tomorrow's management students."

Professor Bharat Bhasker, Director, IIMA, said in an event, “The case method of learning was pioneered in India by IIMA, shaping leaders who can think critically and view challenges from multiple perspectives. The establishment of this Centre will strengthen our ability to innovate in case pedagogy and serve as a hub for research, collaboration, and faculty development in this field. We thank Mr. Madan Mohanka for his kind support, which will enable us to go further in this direction and spread its influence in management teaching.

Before the opening of the Centre, an invited conference named 'Case Method in 2025:=

'Taking Stock and Moving Forward' was also convened by MMCoECML on August 30. It had faculty members and delegates from different management institutes presenting case pedagogy-related initiatives in their respective colleges. This was accompanied by a roundtable discussion on the potential for institutes and stakeholders to work together to enhance the case ecosystem.

Enraged over an anti-ragging drive recently conducted in the institute, MIT (Muzaffarpur Institute of Technology) students mercilessly attacked Anti-Ragging Cell coordinator Vipul Kumar late on Wednesday night.  This occurred as a result of Coordinator Kumar's surprise visit to the dormitory. The kids threatened to shoot him to death, threw comments in foul language, and threw bricks and stones at him. Kumar managed to get away and immediately alerted the college authorities to the situation.

The college principal, Dr MK Jha, has also attested to the attack on the teacher. According to him, an inquiry committee has been constituted for this purpose and strict action will be taken against any student proven guilty.

Why the Attack Happened

In the wake of a rise in complaints of ragging at MIT, the college administration recently took strict action, suspending nearly six students and suggesting action against 20 others. The Anti-Ragging Cell has also been formed to prevent such occurrences and faculty members have been entrusted with keeping an eye on the hostels. 

As part of these responsibilities, Coordinator Vipul Kumar visited the hostel in his vehicle between 10 PM on Wednesday. The moment he reached, there was a gathering of about 20-25 students around his vehicle and started verbally abusing him. The students blamed Kumar for having identified them in the case of ragging, where they were suspended. The students threatened him that they would kill him if any other action was being planned, and then they started throwing stones at his vehicle.

In the aftermath of the incident, a series of meetings were taking place during the day on Thursday by different college committees.

Teachers To Visit In Groups Of Five

Since the attack on Vipul Kumar, the college disciplinary committee met on Thursday and made it amply clear that teachers will no longer visit the hostels alone. They will visit in groups of five.

Notices Issued to a Dozen Students

In parallel, the MIT administration has written letters to a dozen students about yet another incident of ragging of a junior student last week. They have been instructed to come in front of the anti-ragging committee and their parents to explain their own version of what happened.

Some Recent Major Ragging Incidents

In another case where some B.Tech students had thrashed an M.Tech student, 14 students were found guilty. They were fined Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000, rusticated from hostel, and also it was decided to give a 'black mark' on their certificates.

In another case of assault and harassment of a junior, 12 students were suspended and fined and also six months' suspension from the institute.

Another Student Complains of Threats

One MIT M.Tech student has now filed a complaint against two B.Tech students on charges of harassment, intimidation, and the use of abusive language. In his complaint before the principal, the student claimed that he was in fear from the insulting and hostile attitude of these two students.

Every September 5th, all Indian schools and colleges bloom with gifts: flowers, cards, performances, and words of gratitude to teachers. But do you think about why this day is called Teachers Day and who was the person who came up with this day? Let’s talk about the life and values of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the world-renowned teacher, philosopher, and former President of India, whose birthday is honoured as Teachers’ Day all over the country.

The Simple Origin of a Great Mind 

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was born on September 5, 1888, in a small town called Tiruttani in Tamil Nadu. His family was not rich. His father, Sarvepalli Veeraswami, was a clerk, and his mother was called Sitamma. Radhakrishnan attended the K.V. High School in Thiruttani and later on studied at Hermannsburg Evangelical Lutheran Mission School in Tirupati and Government High Secondary School of Walajapet.

With the help of scholarships he managed to pursue his education in Voorhees College in Vellore and subsequently in Madras Christian College, which was among the best colleges in India then. It was here that he learned philosophy, in an almost accidental way--because some old textbooks had been handed to him by a cousin! But this is the accident that changed his fate. He was a brilliant philosopher who had earned a Bachelor and a Master degree by 1906.

A Superior Teacher and scholar 

Dr. Radhakrishnan became a teacher after graduation. He began lecturing at Madras Presidency College and in a short period became a renowned scholar and educator. He also taught in the College of Maharaja, University of Mysore, and finally at Calcutta University where he disseminated the knowledge and enthusiasm to philosophy wherever he went.

He inspired many teachers and legends by his deep thinking and his skills to explain hard concepts in simple words. Even his teachers themselves marveled at the way he defended Indian philosophy whenever it was attacked in the West. Radhakrishnan authored numerous books, some of which cover the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita and philosophy of Tagore, which made him a reputed name in the whole world.

Statesman and Servant Leader

Dr. Radhakrishnan also served the country in significant capacities as a result of the classroom. He taught at the Oxford University in England as a professor and was the Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University and Banaras Hindu University. He subsequently became the first and second President (1952 1962 and 1962 1967) of India.

He was the Ambassador to the Soviet Union and a voice of significance, as far as education and culture was concerned, in the world. In 1954, he was granted the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in India, and in 1963 he was appointed an honorary member of the Royal Order of Merit, Britain.

Why is Teachers’ Day celebrated?

It is a heartwarming story: When Dr. Radhakrishnan took over the Presidency in 1962, there were some students and teachers who wished to celebrate his birthday. But he replied, “Instead of celebrating my birthday, it would be my proud privilege if September 5 is observed as Teachers' Day.”He wished the country to remember teachers and wanted everyone to celebrate the gurus for all the things they do to shape lives. 

And since then India has been celebrating Teachers Day in all schools and colleges on the 5th of September every year since then as a way of showing gratitude and respect to teachers who are the real nation builders.

Dr. Radhakrishnan’s Words 

Teachers are the backbone of any given country and Dr. Radhakrishnan always believed in this. Education to him was far more than just learning facts but it was character making and mind opening. He taught students to honor their teachers and never give up on learning.

His life has been an experienced one; he died on April 17, 1975, but his teaching continues to show young hearts and classrooms in all corners of India today.

The story of Dr. Radhakrishnan teaches us that there are no dreams which are so huge if you are willing to learn, and work hard. His life teaches us all: education is the world, kindness is power, and thanking teachers is the first step on a way to real success.

So, this September 5th, when you wish your teachers “happy Teachers Day,” remember that you are part of a million people celebrating a legacy of learning, leadership and respect that continues to transform our beloved country– India. 

A senior professor from the Tamil department of Periyar University has been suspended after several complaints by PhD scholars that he was indulging in caste-based humiliation, interference in research work and unprofessional conduct.

As per the suspension order dated August 29, 2025, the move was sanctioned by the three-member Vice-Chancellor's Committee governing the university. The members of the committee include Commissioner of Collegiate Education E Sundaravalli, Head of Journalism and Mass Communication R Subramani, and Shri Sakthikailassh Women's College Principal S Jayanthi who are acting as syndicate members.

Research students accused the professor of discriminating against some scholars based on caste, humiliating students publicly, and intentionally delaying or refusing to give approvals for work on time. He was also accused of forcing students to perform non-academic work, hindering their research work. Some scholars alleged that the constant pressure and lack of guidance prompted them to drop out of studies.

The professor also faced allegations of using abusive language against other teachers, intimidating non-academic employees, and favouritism in administrative work.

According to the order, the professor is not allowed to enter the university campus without prior permission and cannot depart from Salem without the approval of officials. A departmental enquiry is being conducted, and further action will depend upon it.

hOWEVER, the Periyar University Teachers Association (PUTA) thanked the Tamil Nadu administration for welcoming the suspension and university authorities for redressing long-pending grievances. The suspended professor, T Periasamy, could not be reached for comments. This talks highly about the education system.