BMC offers jobs to 252 teachers, then tells them they are ineligible

The teachers have been protesting at Azad Maidan since February 2 against BMC’s decision

Even amid 391 vacancies, a civic body regulation prevents those who haven't done their primary schooling in English-medium schools from teaching in BMC schools of the same medium. The rule is blocking 252 eligible teachers from getting employment, even after they were shortlisted for the jobs through a government process, thanks to a faulty advertisement.

The 252 candidates have cleared the Teachers' Eligibility Test (TET) and the Teachers Aptitude and Intelligence Test (TAIT), which are the required qualifications. They were shortlisted for the jobs a little over a year ago. The positions include 150 primary and 102 secondary teachers. The aggrieved candidates have been knocking on all possible doors, but with no resolution.

"We were told that primary education in an English-medium school is mandatory after the shortlisting was done. If this criterion was so important, it should have been clarified in the advertisement calling for applications. Turns out the civic body did not know about the incorrect advertisement for the government process of hiring teachers," said Pavitra Portal, one of the candidates.

Another candidate said, "We do not understand the logic behind the criterion as our high education was in an English-medium school itself. How does the medium of instruction of my schooling matter when I have proven myself eligible for the current job? We principally do not agree with the point and are requesting the BMC to consider our case as the advertisement was unclear and we shouldn't have to bear the consequences."

The candidates have been protesting at Azad Maidan. Some candidates also pointed out that since their shortlisting and the subsequent stopping of the process, a few merit lists were declared for the teachers' appointment and jobs were given. "Having been chosen in the first merit list shows we are among the most preferred. Now those featuring in the merit list after us are getting jobs while we continue to struggle," a candidate said.

BMC's Education Officer Mahesh Palkar was unavailable for comment.

391
No. of teaching vacancies in BMC schools