Amidst persistent controversy surrounding the recruitment of educators by the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC), a second phase of hiring approximately one hundred thousand additional teachers has been announced. This development precedes an event scheduled for November 2, where Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will present appointment letters to around 25,000 recently appointed teachers at the Gandhi Maidan in Patna.
BPSC has released a notification, outlining the tentative schedule for the upcoming recruitment examination for teachers in classes 6-12 and schools under the backward and extremely backward class welfare department, set to take place from December 7 to 10. Online applications for this phase can be submitted from November 3 to 14.
Nevertheless, the first phase of appointments has been plagued by issues, despite BPSC’s repeated attempts to provide clarity through social media and the promise of publishing supplementary results to assure aspirants that all is well.
In an effort to alleviate concerns, the government is contemplating exempting teachers who have already cleared the BPSC-TRE (Teacher Recruitment Examination) from further screening tests to secure government employee status. This exemption would allow them to continue working in their current schools and not face the prospect of being posted in new districts.
Amidst the ongoing concerns and protests from candidates, BPSC has issued a notification inviting objections through their dashboard on the BPSC website from October 29 to November 11.
The opposition and its alliance parties have already called for an investigation into the first phase of recruitment, labeling it a “scam” and alleging a significant violation of reservation norms. They have threatened to raise this issue in the state legislature during the upcoming winter session.
The situation has raised questions about the quality of the intake, particularly in science subjects like physics and chemistry, where vacant seats persist despite low qualifying marks. Some successful candidates, including those already employed, are not participating in the counseling process for fresh recruitment for various reasons. The commission has warned of potential actions against these candidates if they fail to provide satisfactory explanations for their absence by November 7.
The notification further emphasizes that candidates had previously given undertakings regarding the authenticity of their supporting documents during the application process. However, many failed to appear for document verification during counseling, resulting in a loss of time and resources. The commission has indicated that individuals attempting to secure employment through dishonest means cannot be ruled out.
One female candidate expressed concerns about the process, including the lack of time given for counseling and the overlap with the Durga Puja festival. She decided to forgo the counseling process, citing the unsettling nature of provisional appointment letters and ongoing document verification.
The situation has prompted concerns and discussions about the recruitment process’s transparency and efficiency in the state.
