Bhubaneswar, June 16 : The government had constituted a high-level committee to address the long-pending demands of primary teachers. It had assured that after consulting all teachers’ organizations and submitting a report within six months, the demands would be fulfilled. However, even after the completion of six months, none of the primary teachers’ demands have been addressed so far.
The Primary School Teachers’ Association alleged that the government is not only failing to fulfill teachers’ demands but is also completely neglecting primary education. The association warned that if their demands are not met, all teachers’ unions will jointly launch an agitation.
During the joint meeting of primary teachers held at Godabarish Bhavan, the association stated that a large number of teaching posts remain vacant across the state. With the summer vacation about to end, students have still not received their textbooks. The association questioned how teaching and learning activities can begin under such circumstances.
The association further pointed out that, in accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Shishu Vatika (pre-primary classes) have been opened in schools, but neither the necessary infrastructure has been developed nor additional teachers have been appointed.
The teachers also expressed dissatisfaction that the government has not fulfilled its promises regarding:
Counting the six-year contractual service period of primary teachers with notional increments, and
Providing basic pay at par with the Central Government pay scale.
The association criticized the delay in implementing these commitments.
Among those present at the meeting were State President Brahmananda Maharana, General Secretary Bibhu Prasad Sahu, Tulu Dei, Junior Teachers’ Association State President Sheshadev Yajnyadev Deo, Level-VA Union representative Sunil Kumar Pradhan, Prashant Sethi, Vivekananda Behera, Truptimayee Nayak, Pradeep Behera, and several other members.
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