Odisha Teachers Continue Stir Despite Strong Warning

BHUBANESWAR: Notwithstanding the stern warning and pressure tactics exerted by the Odisha government, primary teachers across the state have decided to continue their protest until their demands are met.

“We had put forth our demands before the government earlier and got the assurance that those will be fulfilled after having a review through an inter-ministerial committee. However, nothing materialised. Subsequently, we were forced to hit the streets,” said a protesting teacher.

“We request the government to fulfill our demands at the earliest instead of exerting pressure tactics, so that we will be able to return to our schools and teach our affectionate students,” he added.

“It’s deeply painful not to teach the students at the school. However, we are forced to continue the strike as it’s a matter of our livelihood. We request the government to fulfill our legitimate demands soon,” said a lady teacher.

Meanwhile, senior students were seen teaching the junior students in some schools of Bhadrak in absence of the teachers who have joined the strike.

“I am teaching mathematics, science and English to my junior students as the teachers have joined the strike,” said an eighth class student of a school in Bhadrak.

However, some teachers in Jeypore have succumbed to the pressure exerted by the government and joined duty.

Meanwhile, the Odisha Abhibhabak Mahasangha (OAM) on Friday threw its weight behind the Primary School Teachers’ Association. The OAM warned the state government to join the strike if the demands of the teachers were not fulfilled at the earliest.

The primary teachers under the banner of the Primary School Teachers’ Association have been staging the agitation seeking fulfillment of their demands including job regularisation and pay hikes.

As per reports, the abolition of contractual appointment as has been done in the case of high school teachers is their first demand. Besides, the inclusion of ex-cadre teachers in the elementary cadre, hike of grade pay, formulation of service cadre for Art and PET teachers, filling up of vacancies and old pension system were among the major demands.