Odisha Govt Warns Agitating Primary Teachers, Issues Warning Letter

Bhubaneswar: The Director of Elementary Education in Odisha issued a warning letter to the primary teachers agitating for their three-point charter of demands.

In a letter written to DEOs and BEOs of the State, the Director of Elementary Education stated that most agitating teachers have resorted to ‘gross misconduct’ are they are participating in the strike without seeking permission from their competent authorities.

“It has been brought to the notice that Teachers of the Elementary cadre are staging dharnas in front of BED offices for the fulfillment of their three charter demands. It is intimated that most of the teachers have not taken any permission from their competent authorities and participated in the strike. This leads to gross misconduct,” the letter stated.

“Further, you must be aware of the fact that there shall be 220 working days in an Academic year. If the same will not be achieved during the normal working months then it has to be compensated in the later part,” it added.

The letter stated that the Odisha government has constituted a sub-committee under the chairmanship of the Elementary Education Director to examine and discuss the demands in the presence of the office-bearers of the primary teachers’ association.

This letter directed the BEOs and DEOs, “In this connection, you are requested to appraise the matter to the teacher associations at the district and block level to call off their strike and resume their duties keeping the interest of the students, who are being deprived of their right to education, in mind. This is for information and necessary action.”

The Primary School Teachers’ Association has started agitation for fulfillment of their demands, including job regularisation and pay hike.