Staff Correspondent:

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) on Monday stayed a High Court (HC) verdict that cancelled the process to recruit 6,531 candidates as assistant teachers at government primary schools in Dhaka and Chattogram divisions.

A three-member Appellate Division bench headed by Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam passed the order, allowing a leave to appeal petition filed by Directorate of Primary Education.

The apex court order paves way for joining 6,531 candidates as assistant teachers.

Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman took part in the hearing for the state on Monday while Barrister Muntasir Uddin Ahmed stood for Directorate of Primary Education. Senior jurists Barrister Jamir Uddin Sircar, Barrister Salauddin Dolon, Barrister Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal, Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon and Barrister Abdullah Al Mamun argued for the teachers.

A High Court division bench of Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Sikder

Mahmudur Razi on February 6 pronounced the judgment, also asking the authorities concerned to follow Appellate Division’s latest verdict on quota system and publish recruitment results afresh.

Thirty candidates filed a writ challenging the decision to publish lists of

successful candidates, accusing authorities of following a quota system in the recruitment of candidates from Dhaka and Chattogram divisions in the third phase.

The High Court, after holding a hearing on the matter, issued the rule and stayed the recruitment process for six months. Later, the court came up with the judgment, declaring absolute that rule.