Kolkata, 25 September (H.S.): A group of candidates who appeared in the recent examinations conducted by the West Bengal School Service Commission protested in Salt Lake, Kolkata, on Thursday, demanding fair recruitment.

The candidates gathered at the Karunamoyee Metro Station and marched nearly a kilometer to Vikas Bhavan, the headquarters of the state education department. The protesters were among those who participated in the State Level Selection Test (SLST) held on September 7 and 14. The protests demanded the abolition of the provision of 10 grace marks to teachers who lost their jobs and appeared in the examination following a Supreme Court order.

The Supreme Court had ordered the dismissal of 25,753 teachers and non-teaching staff in state-run schools, terming the 2016 recruitment process unequal and tainted. The protesters claimed that the provision of 10 grace marks will deprive new candidates and violate the rules ensuring equal opportunity for all candidates.

Meanwhile, non-teaching staff who lost their jobs in the recruitment dispute said they have not received salaries for the past six months and are facing hardship.

Candidates said they want to meet the state education minister to raise their objections to the recruitment notification.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey