The Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) conducted for the recruitment of educators in state-run and aided primary schools in West Bengal unfolded seamlessly on Sunday, with no reported instances of malpractice observed across the 743 examination centers, as affirmed by a senior education official. Goutam Paul, the President of the West Bengal Board of Primary Education, categorically dismissed claims of a paper leak, asserting that such allegations were maliciously crafted to tarnish the Board’s reputation. Paul clarified that reports of an Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheet circulating on WhatsApp during the exam were baseless, emphasizing that not a single incident occurred at any of the centers. He attributed these reports to the misguided efforts of unidentified individuals seeking to discredit the board.

Providing further insights, another official from the primary board mentioned that over three lakh candidates participated in the examination. This marks the second consecutive year of the TET being held, aiming to fill more than 11,000 vacant teaching positions. Following a five-year hiatus, the TET took place in December 2022. The 2014 TET results had been marred by controversy and alleged irregularities in the recruitment process, prompting a CBI investigation on orders from the Calcutta High Court. Last year, nearly seven lakh candidates participated in the TET, and the 2022 edition was conducted following the 2017 examination, signifying a significant step in addressing teacher vacancies in the state’s primary schools.

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