Odisha forms high-level committee to examine demands of teachers

The Odisha Government constituted a high-level committee on Wednesday to examine and address a wide range of long-pending demands raised by teachers across the State. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced in the Legislative Assembly, stating that the committee will be chaired by retired IAS officer Ashok Tripathy.

Also Read: Teachers’ protest; Odisha govt holds talks, sets up Committee to examine demands

Teachers and employees from government, aided, and unaided private educational institutions under the School & Mass Education (S&ME) and Higher Education departments have been submitting various demands to the government for years. These include service-related issues, pay revisions, and policy reforms.

The Chief Minister informed the House that the newly formed panel will review all the demands, analyse them, and submit a detailed report to the State government within six months.

Teachers’ and employees’ associations have frequently taken to the streets, staging protests over unresolved issues. The government hopes the committee’s recommendations will pave the way for long-term solutions and help reduce recurring agitation on education-related matters.

Worth mentioning, in a bid to resolve teachers’ agitations, the government had initiated formal discussions with a delegation of the protesting teachers on September 7.

S&ME Minister Nityananda Gond and Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan had held a joint meeting with the Odisha School College Teachers’ and Employees’ Coordination Committee (OSCTECC) to deliberate on their key demands.

Speaking after the meeting, Minister Gond had said the State government is serious about addressing teachers’ concerns and will constitute a dedicated committee to study their prolonged issues.

“We have a clear and straightforward intention, which is that we stand with the teachers. Their demands are definitely being considered, and there is no need for them to carry out a strike in these weather conditions. We are holding discussions and will reach a solution soon,” the S&ME Minister had stated.