Junior teachers staged a dharna in Bhubaneswar today, demanding regularisation of their services.
Hundreds of teachers gathered on PMG Road, alleging that despite repeated assurances from the government, their demands remain unfulfilled.
The Odisha Junior Teachers’ Association accused the government of delaying the implementation of the Chief Minister’s announcement made in August last year. At that meeting, the Chief Minister had promised to abolish the contractual system and regularise 13,500 junior teachers. Protesters recalled that they welcomed the decision and even withdrew earlier agitations after assurances of a government notification by December. However, seven months later, no official order has been issued.
Teachers expressed anger that five of their colleagues died during this period without receiving any financial assistance from the state. They argued that junior teachers perform the same duties as regular teachers but are denied benefits, including job security and welfare support.
The association declared that unless the government issues a written notification, junior teachers will not return to schools. They also warned of non-cooperation in upcoming government activities such as the census, elections, and other official programs.
Protesters demanded immediate publication of the government order to regularise junior teachers under the scheme-based system. They emphasised that the struggle will continue until the promise is implemented in writing.
