Bhubaneswar: The indefinite strike by the teachers in Odisha has cast a dark shadow on the smooth conduct of the Plus II examinations conducted by the Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE). The exams are scheduled to begin on March 1.
More than college 4,000 teachers of 662 category are on strike demanding remuneration at par with other teaching staff of Payment of Grant-in-Aid to the Non-Government Aided Degree Colleges, Aided Junior Colleges and Aided Higher Secondary Schools under the Odisha Grant-in-Aid Order, 2022.
As the strike entered the 15th day on Monday, the agitating teachers said that they will not undertake invigilation duty. They said that though they are on strike for 15 days, no authorities have discussed the issue with them.
Around 4,00,000 students of higher secondary schools will appear for the CHSE Plus II examination in science, arts, commerce and vocational streams scheduled to begin on March 1. Of these, more than 2,00,000 students are from 662 category colleges and higher secondary schools, according to Golak Nayak of the agitating teachers’ association.
Talking to the media on Monday, Odisha School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash said, “All preparations for the Plus II exams have been completed and questions papers have been sent to question hubs. I have appealed to the agitating teachers to fulfil their responsibilities by ensuring the smooth conduct of the exams keeping in view the future of the students.”
“We are aware of their demands and discussions have been held at the Chief Secretary level. The government is considering their demands, but smooth conduct of the exams is of utmost importance,” he added.
Meanwhile, officials of the state School and Mass Education department said they will take up the issue with the agitating teachers and initiate steps to ensure that the exams are held on time and conducted smoothly.
