Odisha teachers launch stir over multiple demands

Teachers united under the Odisha Secondary School Teachers’ Association (OSSTA), Ganjam chapter, launched protests near the office of the district education officer in Berhampur over various demands on Saturday. 

The OSSTA had earlier put forth a charter of 21 demands and submitted copies of it to the Chief Minister, the School and Mass Education Minister, and the Chief Secretary on August 9, 2023. 

The agitating members of the OSSTA alleged that as the government failed to meet their demands, they started protests.  

They warned of intensifying the agitation if their demands are not fulfilled. Their demands include extension of retirement age of teachers to 62 and the release of grants to eligible high schools.  

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Bijay Kumar Behera, secretary of OSSTA (Ganjam), alleged that the government did not fulfil our demands despite assurance. “The government kept on promising for four months, but no step was taken. As per the decision of the OSSTA (State), protests were launched from of the DEO offices in 30 districts,” he said.

He also warned that the teachers will start day and night sit-in protests in the days to come if their demands are not fulfilled soon. 

No comments were received from the concerned authorities.