It is now almost a week that the classroom teaching across Odisha has been adversely hit due to the ongoing agitation by the primary teachers over three-point charter of demands.
The teachers under the banner of All Utkal Primary Teachers’ Federation are now staging demonstrations across the state demanding abolition of the contractual appointment system, hike in grade pay and restoration of the old pension scheme.
Several schools are now locked as the teachers have resorted to cease work as they are now on mass leave seeking fulfillment of their demands.
At a primary school in Khordha district, a teacher has been deployed on deputation basis.
“I am just keeping the students busy and looking after midday meal. It is practically impossible for me to teach all subjects from standard 1 to 8. How can a single teacher teach instead of four teachers? I hope things normalises soon,” said a teacher.
Not only Khordha, similar scenes prevails at different regions of the state.
“As the teachers are now on strike, the students are just coming and returning home. We demand that the government takes necessary steps towards the grievances of the teachers so that teaching resumes in schools,” said a guardian.
Expressing concerns over the future of students, another guardian questioned, "How long will the Odisha government take to resolve the matter and take decision on the demands of the teachers?"