Imkong Walling
Dimapur | January 18
The primary and graduate teachers’ appointment stalemate, hearing for which was pending at the court is now resolved, provided it is not challenged at a higher court. Kohima Bench of the Gauhati High Court delivered the judgment on January 18, the ruling going against the petitioners.
Well placed sources said that the ruling went in favour of the candidates, who successfully cleared the recruitment tests conducted in the early part of 2012. Some 2800 candidates had cleared the exams.
The issue hit the limelight sometime in May 2012, when the final results of the teachers (graduate and under-graduate) recruitment exams was declared. The final process of appointment hit rough weather when candidates, who could not clear the exams questioned the conduct of examinations. Calling itself the ANPSTA (All Nagaland Pre-service Teachers’ Association), the candidates took the matter to court challenging the conduct of the exams. Pending the petition, the court passed a stay order stating that no appointment should be made. Meanwhile, negotiations ensued, the Naga Students’ Federation also interceding but nothing could be worked out.
Sometime in August, the ANPSTA withdrew the court case reportedly on a verbal assurance from the government. The actual reason behind the withdrawal is shrouded in mystery.
The case did not end there however. Some of the graduate (B.Ed) candidates, who could not clear the exams, entered the picture. Numbering 115, the candidates challenged the credibility of the results on the ground that they were not selected despite them bearing professional teaching qualification or B.Ed degree. A considerable number of graduate candidates without B.Ed degrees had cleared the exams.
The matter went to court a second time. It involved three parties – the petitioners (the 115 candidates), the government and the selected candidates (primary and graduate teachers). Hearing started on November 19, continuing over four days. The final judgement was expected in December before Christmas but the court went to winter break. Judgment was finally delivered on January 18.
