Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has appealed to striking teachers to refrain from agitation and join duty, promising to resolve their issues. School and Mass Education Minister Nityanand Gond urged teachers to give the government time to address their concerns, assuring that their demands would be analysed and discussed.
“We are concerned about teachers of all categories. The education sector is growing rapidly in Odisha. We will sort out all issues after discussion with them and analysing their demands,” Gond said.
The appeal comes as thousands of teachers and staff from non-government-aided and unaided institutions observed Teachers’ Day as a “Black Day” to highlight their long-pending demands. Around 20,000 teachers gathered at Lower PMG Square in Bhubaneswar, pressing for a five-point charter of demands that includes block grant funding and pension benefits.
The Odisha School and College Teachers and Employees Coordination Committee accused the government of depriving them of rightful support and failing to address their grievances.
Association president Biswaranjan Das announced that Teachers’ Day is being observed as a Black Day in protest against the government’s indifference. The teachers are demanding block grant funding, pension benefits, job security, career advancement policy, and financial parity with government institutions.
