All schools across the Darjeeling hills will close indefinitely from December 18 . The shutdown protests a recent Calcutta High Court order that invalidated the appointment of 313 teachers under the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA). The Sanyukta Madhyamik Sikshak Sangathan (SMSS) called for the indefinite closure.
Court Quashes 313 Teacher Appointments
The Calcutta High Court set aside the regularization and state approval for 313 teachers. These appointments were made in government-aided schools across Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts. The court ruled the appointments lacked a valid recruitment process. They also failed to meet statutory requirements.
A writ petition filed in 2023 challenged the legality of these appointments. The court examined whether teachers were recruited through an authorized selection mechanism. It also checked if mandatory qualifications, including professional training, were fulfilled. The state government did not provide satisfactory justification for approving the appointments.
The court noted earlier government directives. These directives restricted the engagement of volunteer teachers without formal approval from the School Education Department. Previous hearings questioned the financial implications of continuing salary payments for appointments made without legal backing.
SMSS Cites Administrative Lapses, Demands Justice
SMSS General Secretary Santosh Khadka stated that no formal recruitment rules existed for secondary school teacher appointments in the Darjeeling hills for the past 25 years . He argued volunteer teachers have sustained schools since 2002 due to the absence of notified recruitment norms or eligibility examinations.
SMSS views the continued engagement of volunteer teachers as a result of administrative lapses. It attributes fault to the erstwhile Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC), the present GTA, and both state and central governments. The organization states teachers should not be penalized for these systemic failures. “Teachers should not be made to suffer punishment for this,” SMSS said in a press statement.
Wider Impact on Education Feared
The school shutdown impacts government-aided schools in the GTA region. Institutions conducting annual examinations, result declarations, and academic programs are affected. SMSS warns the court’s verdict may extend beyond the 313 affected teachers. It could potentially impact retired educators, serving teachers, and other volunteer staff across the hills.
The organization also expressed concern. Vacancies in mother-tongue subjects could be filled by teachers from outside the region. “Today’s verdict of the Calcutta High Court has created a situation that may… affect not only retired senior teachers… but also serving teachers and volunteer teachers,” SMSS stated.
SMSS directed all schools to suspend academic activities from December 18 until further notice. The organization stated it would not be responsible for any unpleasant incidents if schools disregard its call.