Over 130,000 primary teachers, represented by the United Primary Teachers’ Federation, have initiated an indefinite work stoppage starting on Friday to emphasize their three main demands.

These teachers, working in approximately 56,000 schools, conducted sit-ins in front of 314 block education offices on Friday. Their demands encompass the elimination of the contractual appointment system, aligning salaries with the central pay system, and reinstating the previous pension system.

Brahmananda Maharana, president of the All Odisha Primary School Teachers’ Association, noted that nearly all primary teachers from various cadres have joined the protest due to the government’s lack of response to their demands.

He added that a similar protest was staged in November of the previous year, during which the state government promised to address their concerns. An inter-ministerial committee was even established for this purpose, and it convened a meeting on Teacher’s Day this year. However, no decisions were reached. Consequently, the teachers initiated this large-scale protest.

The teachers’ strike has had a significant impact on primary school students’ education throughout the state.

Source: PTI