Agitating Odisha teachers to lock up schools, colleges from Sept 6

Bhubaneswar: The failure of the inter-ministerial committee, which was formed to look into the demands of teachers who have been agitating since August 16, has forced the protesting teachers to intensify their stir.

As per reports, the school and college teachers will observe Teachers’ Day as Black Day (Kala Diwas) on September 5. Besides, they have threatened to lock up all the block grant schools and colleges from September 6.

"The Odisha government didn't pay heed to our demands. Left with no choice, we will observe the Teachers' Day as Black Day," said general secretary of OSSTA, Prakash Mohanty.

Golak Nayak, convenor of Odisha School College Teachers and Employees’ United Forum, said: "As the State government is neglecting our demands, our steering committee has decided to observe Teachers' Day here as Black Day. The government is shedding crocodile tears but it can't escape this time."

Even though the teachers are on indefinite strike since August 16, School and Mass Education Minister Badri Narayan Patra said that his ministry is yet to be apprised about the demands of the teachers.

"We have not yet received any demands from the teachers. We are often having meetings with them and they are calling off their dharnas. Once their demands come to us, we will discuss it. The government is always with them," said the minister.

The teachers have been demanding removal of affidavit clause in the newly-announced grant-in-aid system, equal salary for equal work, provision of full aid and several other service conditions.