HC asks striking teachers to join exam duty

Cuttack: Orissa High Court on Friday passed an interim order asking the agitating block grant teachers to join the examination duty.

Hearing a PIL, the court also directed the director general police (DGP) to maintain law and order at all centres during the examination and posted the next hearing on March 10.

Block grant teachers, who have been on dharna at Lower PMG square for over one month demanding abolition of block grant policy and regularisation of jobs, had earlier declared they would boycott the examination if the government does not accept their demands.

The Board of Secondary Education (BSE) has also warned the striking teachers of legal action. "The block grant schools may be excluded from the exam centre list from next year if the teachers don't cooperate. Action will also be initiated against the erring teachers after consultation with government," BSE president DP Nanda had said on Friday.

School and Mass Education minister Debi Prasad Mishra also appealed to the teachers to cooperate with government in conducting the examination. "In view of the students' future, the teachers should assist the government in conduct of examination," Mishra said.

On the other hand, the teachers have to stuck to their demands and warned the government of strong reaction if it initiates action against them. They said they would not allow any minister and government representatives to visit any block areas across the State.