Odisha Primary School Teachers Temporarily Halt Protests After Government Appeal

Bhubaneswar: Primary school teachers in Odisha have temporarily suspended their protests after the state government’s appeal during a meeting in Bhubaneswar. Charulata Mohapatra, the Secretary General of Nikhil Utkal Primary School Teachers’ Federation, confirmed this decision. However, specific details from the meeting have not been disclosed.

Earlier, an inter-ministerial committee meeting took place at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, with participation from representatives of the All Utkal Primary Teachers’ Federation, according to Finance Minister Bikram Keshari Arukha. The demands of the teachers’ federation were thoroughly discussed, and the school and mass education department have been tasked with examining these demands and taking appropriate action soon.

Finance Minister Arukha expressed that the state government is actively considering the teachers’ demands and appealed to them to end their protest and resume their duties.

In response to the government’s appeal, the teachers’ federation plans to convene a meeting to determine their next steps. The primary school teachers have been protesting since September 8, demanding the abolition of the contractual appointment system, a raise in grade pay, and the restoration of the old pension scheme. There are over 1.30 lakh primary school teachers involved in these protests across the state.