Behind the Curtain!—A View—Kunal Roy

Education is the most pressing tool in the Indian scenario. Teaching is the most noble profession. However, the recent incident has completely changed the picture. The teachers are no longer respected, loved or cared. They are no longer considered to be the guiding tool in shaping the destiny of the millions. They have become marionettes at the hands of the political clout. The shocking event has rocked the whole nation and beyond.

It was forecast by one of the famed astrologers that once Saturn transits to Pisces, a tremendous transformation will be seen in the spheres of education, employment and technology. Saturn, the icon of justice transited to Pisces, the twelfth house of the zodiac structure, conjugated with Rahu - the shadow, the mysterious, the karmic on twenty ninth March this year in the late evening. And to our utter surprise, the prediction brought about an unprecedented turn of events on third April this year, as thousands of teachers in the Government schools lost their jobs and discovered themselves at sea. The panel of the School Service Commission of 2016 had been cancelled, much to the dismay of the millions.

  A nexus of allegations had been brought to the fore. Loopholes in the legal formalities, scam in the process of recruitment and the administrative irregularities drew the heed of all and sundry. It was even asserted with confidence that lots of candidates were appointed after the higher authority was bribed into silence. Indeed a profession rooted in deep reverence and stability has now become a subject to be jeered at! A profound lack of assurance and security has widened the hiatus on the edifice of learning and education. 

  Many of the affected teachers had been working for more than a decade. Little did they know what fate had in its store for them. They literally paid after the Supreme Court proclaimed the verdict, citing the massive manipulation in the areas of merit lists, nepotism and unfair appointments. The strong evidences didn't spare a single soul and as the fate would behold twenty five thousand seven hundred and fifty two teachers lost their bread and butter. Moreover, at this very hour the sense of darkness has completely engulfed their existence. Screams, shouts, tears, protests and other emotive gestures didn't aid them in any manner. They were rather assaulted and the remaining reverence was reduced to ashes. The wrong path which was once thought to be the right one has pushed them to the verge of collapse. Doomed!!

  An overnight dictum and they were completely stripped off their wings, recognitions, emoluments and purpose. A legal blow that snatched everything from their existence. A trauma accompanied by the elements of ' financial crunch' and ' social stigma'. Mental set backs, anxiety and dejection have now become the part and parcel of their journey! 

 The sudden dismissal of thousands of government employees has maimed the schools. The anguish has radiated beyond where the students have suddenly found their favourite teachers missing from their classrooms. The shortage of adequate teaching staff has dipped the quality of education in the accepted sense of term.

   An irreversible loss to the education system. Unfortunately no body is ready to shoulder the onus! The deprived souls have opted for other types of seasonal employment including the private tutions. NGOS and other civic society groups have stepped forward to support and guide them. However, the Chief Minister has assured that the genuine candidates will not suffer....The whole process of recruitment is proposed to be reviewed. A long span of time where despair and dejection are found to rule! 

  The whispering walls, the empty class rooms and the whimper of the little flowers still look at the horizon. Hope has not quit them. They have nurtured a complete faith on the vigilance and agility of the state to ensure clarity, reformation and transperancy. Let us promise to sow the seeds of betterment for our promising youths!!

                                        - Kunal Roy 

 (Assistant Professor, Department of English Language and Communication, George Group of Colleges, Kolkata)