Odisha teachers continue protests over job regularisation even as Assembly session concludes

Even though the Odisha Assembly session has concluded, protests by teachers over various demands show no signs of slowing down. On Friday, the Odisha Combined Forum of Art and Physical Education Teachers staged a dharna in front of the Assembly, intensifying their long-standing demand for job regularisation.

The protesting teachers claimed they have been working in schools across the state since 2013, but have yet to receive permanent appointments. Many of them allege that despite a decade of service, they continue to work under unstable contractual conditions, with no job security or defined service benefits. 

The forum members stated that repeated appeals to the government have gone unanswered, leaving them with no option but to continue their agitation.

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“12 years have passed by, and this January it will be 13 years. We had also been protesting during the previous BJD government. We have been pushed into this part-time service with no future in sight. So, we demand to discontinue this part-time scheme and regularise our jobs. We have knocked on the doors of all officials. We also approached CM Mohan Majhi at least 11 times during Grievance Cell hearings. We have also approached the Chief Secretary, but nothing worked out in our favour,” alleged a protesting teacher.

Likewise, another teacher said, “We only get a Rs 8,800 monthly salary. This much income is not even enough to run a family. We cannot even afford to buy medicines for this much money.”

The protestors urged the state government to take swift action and address their concerns, warning that their agitation will continue until concrete steps are taken.