Not granted permanent job even after 12 years of service, UP schools' arts and sports instructors hit street in Odisha

Protests and demonstrations against the state government by arts and sports instructors engaged in upper primary schools across Odisha hit the streets of Bhubaneswar on Friday.

As per reports, an association of art and sports teachers appointed on a contractual basis across several upper primary schools in the state staged a sit-in at Gandhi Marg in Bhubaneswar demanding permanent employment.

The sit-in included teachers raising slogans against the government while protesting with banners and placards.

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Reportedly over 5,000 art and sports instructors have been appointed in various upper primary schools in Odisha since 2013. However, even after 12 years of service, they have not been granted permanent positions, leading to lower salaries and financial difficulties.

“We receive about Rs 7,000 to Rs 8,000 as monthly remuneration out of which house rent and gas expenses take away almost half of it. As such, it is simply not possible to survive on such a low income,” stated Suraj Kumar, a sports instructor.

The protesting teacher also added that they staged the demonstration at Gandhi Marg with hopes of gaining the attention of the Mohan Majhi-led government.

No comments could be obtained from the concerned authorities.

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The current strike and protests by the arts and sports instructors came after aspiring Hindi and Sanskrit teachers staged a demonstration at the Lower PMG Square in Bhubaneswar in October over alleged preference being given to candidates from Arts and Science streams despite several B.Ed graduates staying in hopes of a job for a decade.