Odisha primary teachers vow to continue stir, parents’ body throws weight behind agitators

Notwithstanding the stern warning and pressure tactics exerted by the State government, primary teachers across Odisha 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 has thrown its weight behind the Primary School Teachers’ Association. Odisha Abhibhabak Mahasangha has also warned the State government to join the strike if the demands of the teachers are not fulfilled at the earliest.

Moreover, activists of ‘Student Voice’ gheraoed the official residence of School and Mass Education Minister Sudam Marndi in Bhubaneswar to extend support to the ongoing teachers’ strike. However, police picked up several agitators while they were staging the agitation.

Earlier a day before, in a letter written to all the DEOs and BEOs of the State, the Director of Elementary Education had mentioned that most of the teachers have not taken any permission from their competent authorities and participated in the strike which is gross misconduct.

The elementary education director had also stated that there shall be 220 working days in an Academic year and if the same will not be achieved during the normal working months, then it has to be compensated in the later part.

Notably, the primary teachers under the banner of the Primary School Teachers’ Association are 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.