Exam's Overview
The West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) conducted the teacher recruitment examination, drawing a substantial number of applicants from outside
West Bengal. A total of 13,517 candidates from states like Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Bihar participated in the examination. This recruitment drive aimed to fill 35,726 assistant teacher positions in state-aided and sponsored schools. The presence of such a large number of candidates from other states underscores the widespread interest in these job openings and highlights the broader employment landscape.
Reasons for Migration
Several factors are driving candidates from states like Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Bihar to seek employment in West Bengal. Sunil Kumar Yadav from Jaunpur, UP, mentioned the scarcity of jobs in his home state, prompting him to apply in other locations such as Bihar, Rajasthan, and Bengal. Rajiv Kumar Yadav from Patmunda, UP, echoed this sentiment, stating he had also taken exams in Bihar and Haryana. Ramesh Jha from Kanpur, UP, added that the lengthy recruitment processes in UP and the nationwide application scope motivated his decision. Yogita Sharma from Ballia, UP, and Prabha Yadav from Ara, Bihar, both cited the significant number of vacancies in Bengal as a key reason for applying outside their home states.
Minister's Remarks
Bratya Basu, the State Education Minister, commented on this trend during a press conference. He suggested that the influx of candidates from other states might indicate a lack of job opportunities in those regions. This statement reflects the broader economic concerns and the challenges faced by job seekers across different states. The presence of candidates from multiple states in the teacher recruitment exam highlights the complex interplay of regional job markets and the willingness of individuals to relocate for employment opportunities.
Examination Details
On September 7, a considerable number of candidates, approximately 31,000, from other states appeared for the SLST (State Level Selection Test) for assistant teacher positions for Classes 9 and 10. The recent WBSSC teacher recruitment examination, held on a Sunday, drew nearly 2,50,000 candidates to take the exam in the state. At Maharaja Manindra Chandra College in north Kolkata, several candidates from other states were observed waiting on the streets for the college gates to open, indicating their eagerness to participate in the examination. The exam's popularity reflects the importance of these positions and the widespread interest they generate.