West Bengal Education Department to Engage Retired Teachers for Higher Secondary Classes

The West Bengal state education department has taken a proactive step to address the shortage of teachers in state-aided schools across Bengal. To mitigate the paucity of teachers at the higher secondary level (Classes XI and XII), the department has decided to engage retired teachers.

Addressing the Teacher Shortage

Chiranjib Bhattacharjee, the president of the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE), emphasized the importance of ensuring that students do not face difficulties in their studies due to a lack of teachers. As a result, the department will enlist retired teachers to teach higher secondary classes as needed by each school.

Introduction of Semester System

Starting from this academic year, the WBCHSE, which conducts higher secondary exams in science, commerce, and humanities streams, will introduce a semester system. Classes XI and XII will have two semesters each, and the syllabi across all three streams have been rearranged to familiarize students with the new system.

Teacher Training and Workshops

To prepare teachers for the new semester system, the state education department is organizing workshops in districts. These workshops aim to provide teachers with a clear understanding of the changes and expectations related to the revised curriculum.

Challenges Faced

While addressing the shortage of teachers, senior officials from the education department acknowledged that teacher recruitment has stalled due to various issues. Additionally, several teachers who previously taught higher secondary students have retired in recent years.

The Situation in Siliguri

In Siliguri, an educational district within the Darjeeling district, most of the 67 higher secondary schools face a severe shortage of subject-specific teachers. For instance, there is typically only one teacher per subject in these schools. With around 350 teachers responsible for teaching Classes XI and XII, the student population in Siliguri subdivision schools totals approximately 16,750 across all three streams.

Bringing in Retired Teachers

Given the urgency of the situation, the department’s quick solution involves engaging retired teachers. Schools will be asked to identify and trace retired teachers, appoint them based on need, and provide them with an honorarium.

As the new semester system takes effect, the collaboration between active and retired teachers aims to ensure a smooth educational experience for higher secondary students in West Bengal.