The story runs like this. As per the ROPA rules of 1998 graduate teachers of West Bengal will be entitled to new and higher scales of pay if they can increase their educational qualifications by studying in universities and produce the certificates to he relevant school authorities. Reports received from North and South Dinajpur and also from Malda and elsewhere in West Bengal suggest that quite a number of graduate teachers in schools of this region have already procured (may, bought) these post graduate degrees from this university without being absent from their respective schools. How could they attend their classes in the university and take their examinations leaving their workplace in south or north Dinajpur. The State’s School Education Minister Kanti Biswas is in a fox over the affair as the State Government will be required to shell our several millions of rupees to the teachers who have acquired ‘higher’ qualification.

The School Education Minister has already taken up the matter with the Centre’s Human Resources Development Minister, Mr M.M. Joshi of the BJP, the Bihar Governor and the UGC Chairman. But nothing tangible has emerged. Even Biswas worite a letter to the vice-chancellor of the B.N. Mondal University requesting him to inquire into the matter. The Vice-Chancellor replied to him stating that the ‘students’ attended the classes and the sat for the examinations too.

The All Bengal Teachers’ Association has strongly condemned the immoral acts of the concerned teachers. Meanwhile the matter has been referred to the court.