Bengal teachers hit by SC verdict back at work in 'students' interest'

KOLKATA: Setting aside their despair over the prospect of losing their job after the Supreme Court verdict on West Bengal school recruitments , many of the teachers and staff members facing the axe returned to the classrooms, so that the students do not suffer.

Many of them said their respective schools are facing trouble, especially with the exam season going on, which prompted them to return to their duties. "Why should we be punished for an offence for which we are not responsible?" asked one aggrieved teacher, before adding, "I came to the school because I have certain responsibilities that I can't overlook."

A biology teacher said, "I am concerned about my students as they have just been promoted to class XII. When the principal requested me to take classes, I didn't think twice." Subal Chandra Mandal, the only lab assistant at a high school, said: "The headmaster called me, so I came. But, I have not slept for the past two days." School heads said asking the teachers to come was a difficult call. A principal said the hiring of part-time teachers would be discussed with school management.