West Bengal TET 2022 interviews postponed amid election schedule

The West Bengal Board of Primary Education has postponed interviews for candidates who qualified the 2022 Primary Teacher Eligibility Test, citing the ongoing election schedule.

In a notification issued on April 1, the board said all previously announced interview dates have been deferred until further notice, even as district-wise schedules had been released earlier in March.

"All interview dates announced earlier stand postponed. Revised dates will be notified in due course," Board president Goutam Pal said on April 3.

While the notification did not specify a reason, officials indicated that the decision was taken after consultations with the Election Commission. One of the scheduled interview dates coincided with polling on April 23 in parts of the state.

"One interview date falls on April 23, which is the day for the first phase polling across the Jangalmahal belt. We announced the postponement following talks with the EC," Pal said.

The recruitment process had been underway since the written examination was conducted on Dec 11, 2022, with results declared on Feb 10, 2023.

Earlier, interviews were scheduled in phases for candidates across districts, including Purulia, Bankura, Malda, Paschim Bardhaman, Birbhum, Alipurduar, and Dakshin Dinajpur, between April and early June.

The postponement has triggered concern among candidates awaiting the next stage of recruitment. "I was preparing for the interview after this endless wait since 2023. Are we being treated as guinea pigs?" said Arup Dasgupta, a candidate from Dakshin Dinajpur.