Primary school teachers from across Odisha staged an overnight sit-in protest in Bhubaneswar on Friday, reiterating two long-standing demands related to pay scale and service conditions. Despite the biting winter cold, thousands of teachers remained at the protest site through the night, some wrapped in sarees, others in shawls and quilts, as they pressed for government action.

Teachers Demand Pay Upgrade, Regularisation of Service

The agitation, led by the Primary Teachers’ Association, called for an upgrade of the basic post of primary teachers and a revision of the basic salary to Rs 35,400 under Level-9. The association also demanded the abolition of the contract system in primary education and recognition of the service period of teachers engaged on contract since 2001 as regular employment.

According to the association, these issues have been raised repeatedly with the State government over the years, but they remain unresolved.

Protesters Say Concerns Ignored for Years

A teacher participating in the demonstration said over one lakh teachers from various districts had assembled to voice their demands, but the government had yet to initiate a dialogue.

“So far, no discussions have been held. The government is aware of the protest, but we have not received any assurances yet,” the teacher said. “Since 2017, our qualification has been upgraded, but our pay grade still remains in the 2200 scale. Even though the government abolished the contract system, we have not received any written confirmation.”

Another protester highlighted the prolonged nature of the struggle.

“Since 2017, our protest has taken a massive turn. A serious discussion was held in 2022, and we hoped things would change, but nothing happened. The protest will continue till our demands are met,” the teacher stated.

Also Read: Odisha primary teachers stage massive protest outside Assembly, renew demand for pay revision and service reforms

With no assurance yet from the government, the teachers have vowed to continue their demonstration until their demands are formally addressed.