Resentment among teachers after withdrawal of regularisation order in Odisha schools

Just five days after issuing a notification to regularise over 16,000 contractual teachers, the School and Mass Education (S&ME) Department has abruptly withdrawn it, thereby sparking widespread discontent and uncertainty among the teaching community.

The sudden U-turn has left thousands in the dark about their future.

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According to sources, Odisha S&ME Department revoked its earlier decision to regularise the services of over 16,000 scheme-based teachers, known as ‘Schematic Teachers’, without providing a clear explanation.

On August 2, the S&ME Department had issued a letter that promised regular appointments and grade pay revisions for teachers who had been serving on a contractual basis for over six years.

This move was hailed as a long-awaited victory by educators, especially those who had been hopeful after a similar announcement in April this year. At a formal appointment event in October 5, 2024, over 16,000 primary teachers had received appointment letters at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

However, just five days later, the department cited a lack of required approvals and retracted the decision, shocking the teaching community. Teachers’ associations have voiced serious concerns about the government’s credibility and alleged a lack of coordination within key departments like Law, Finance, and Education.

The letter, which was previously approved by the Law, Finance, and Education Departments, is now under scrutiny. With no stated reason for the reversal, suspicions are growing. Experts argue that this kind of policy inconsistency could erode public trust, especially when quality education requires permanent and motivated teaching staff.

Prominent educationists have warned that such decisions could dampen morale and affect educational outcomes, especially at a time when the government is aiming to strengthen state-run model schools like Godabarish Mishra Adarsha Vidyalaya.

S&ME Minister Nityananda Gond has responded, saying he will consult with the department to understand the matter. “We will study the matter and I will discuss with the Department in this regard. We have given appointment to approximately 20,000 teachers in the past days. The State government will take a call keeping in mind the necessity,” the Minister said.

“The order was issued to regularise the teachers from the date of their appointment and accordingly give them their pay. Since the decision was taken hurriedly, apprehending that somebody would move to court over the total number of appointed teachers and after realising their own (State government’s) mistake, the official order was withdrawn,” OSSTA state secretary, Manikeswar Swain, stated to OTV.