The West Bengal government has approved the process to abolish the Madrasah Service Commission (MSC) and merge its functions with the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC), paving the way for teacher recruitment in recognised madrasas through the state’s school recruitment body.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the proposed move at a programme on Tuesday evening, saying that the Madrasah Service Commission would be abolished and its functions brought under the WBSSC. The state cabinet has since approved the proposal, officials said.
Madrasah Teacher Recruitment to Come Under WBSSC
Under the proposed arrangement, recruitment of teachers for recognised madrasas will be handled through the West Bengal School Service Commission.
The government has said the move is intended to streamline the recruitment system and bring greater uniformity to the appointment process across educational institutions.
A senior official of the School Education Department confirmed that the merger will require changes to the existing legal framework before it can formally take effect.
Two Bills Likely in Assembly
The state government is expected to introduce two separate bills in the West Bengal Assembly to implement the proposed changes.
One bill will seek to repeal the West Bengal Madrasah Service Commission Act, 2008, while the second will propose amendments to the legislation governing the West Bengal School Service Commission.
The bills will need to be passed by the Assembly before the merger can be implemented.
Once approved by the Assembly, the legislation will be sent to the Governor for assent. A government gazette notification will then be issued to formally give effect to the changes. ThePrint
Madrasah Service Commission Established in 2008
The Madrasah Service Commission was established under the West Bengal Madrasah Service Commission Act, 2008.
The legislation created a separate statutory framework for the recruitment of teachers and non-teaching staff in recognised non-government aided madrasas across the state.
The Act was enacted by the West Bengal Legislature and received the Governor’s assent in October 2008. India Code
The proposed abolition would therefore mark a significant change in the way teaching appointments in recognised madrasas are administered.
Government Cites Uniformity in Recruitment
Officials have said the proposed merger is aimed at making the recruitment system more streamlined and uniform.
Bringing madrasa teacher recruitment under the WBSSC would place it within the same broader recruitment framework used for school appointments.
The government has indicated that the move is part of efforts to reduce duplication between recruitment bodies and establish a more standardised process.
Education department officials have said the changes are expected to be completed within the year, subject to the required legislative process. ThePrint
Suvendu Adhikari Announces the Decision
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had publicly announced the decision before officials confirmed the cabinet approval.
At the programme on Tuesday evening, Adhikari said the Madrasah Service Commission would be abolished and merged with the West Bengal School Service Commission.
The announcement came as the state government outlined several changes in its education and administrative policies.
The proposed merger is now moving from the announcement stage towards the legislative process required to make the change legally effective.
What Happens to Existing Recruitment Processes?
The proposed merger primarily concerns the institutional framework for future teacher recruitment.
The government has not yet provided all operational details regarding how ongoing recruitment processes, existing recommendations and other matters handled by the Madrasah Service Commission will be transferred to the WBSSC.
Those details are likely to be clarified through the proposed legislation and subsequent government notifications.
The final framework will therefore depend on the provisions approved by the Assembly and the rules issued after the merger becomes legally effective.
A Major Change in Bengal’s Education Recruitment System
The proposed abolition of the Madrasah Service Commission represents a major restructuring of teacher recruitment in West Bengal’s recognised madrasas.
If the Assembly approves the required bills and the Governor gives assent, the WBSSC will take over the recruitment functions currently handled by the Madrasah Service Commission.
The government says the objective is to create a more uniform and streamlined recruitment system. The next major step will be the introduction and passage of the two bills in the state Assembly, followed by the formal notification bringing the new arrangement into effect.