World
West Bengal Abolishes Madrasa Service Commission Amid Recruitment Irregularity Allegations: Suvendu Adhikari
Translated by Desk Report
The West Bengal government has abolished the state’s separate Madrasa Service Commission and merged its recruitment functions with the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC), Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced.
Under the new arrangement, teacher recruitment for madrasas will be conducted through the School Service Commission instead of a separate recruitment body. The government has described the move as an effort to bring greater uniformity to the state’s education system and streamline the recruitment process.
The decision comes amid a broader review of madrasa education and recruitment in the state. Reports of irregularities in the recruitment process had previously raised questions over the separate system, with the government now seeking to bring madrasa teacher appointments under a common recruitment framework.
The move follows a statewide survey of madrasas conducted by the Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department. The exercise examined institutions’ infrastructure, approval status, management systems and other operational aspects.
Last month, the state government ordered the closure of 252 madrasas and issued show-cause notices to around 100 others following the survey. Officials said the action was linked to shortcomings including inadequate approvals and infrastructure. Madrasas operating with the required approvals were allowed to continue functioning.
The government’s latest decision marks a significant change in the recruitment structure for madrasa teachers in West Bengal, replacing the separate commission-based system with a common recruitment mechanism under the School Service Commission.
The move is also part of a wider restructuring of education-related institutions under the BJP-led state government. Earlier, the government appointed senior IAS officer Dushyant Nariala as chairman of the West Bengal Central School Service Commission, with the administration saying the appointment was aimed at ensuring a more transparent recruitment process.
