2 days ago
Junior teachers demand regularisation of jobs
Bhubaneswar: Thousands of contractual/schematic junior teachers from various govt-run and govt-aided schools sat on a dharna near the state legislative assembly on Friday, demanding the regularisation of their jobs.
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The junior teachers, under the aegis of the Odisha Junior Teachers (Schematic) Association, first conducted a protest rally from Master Canteen to Lower PMG before sitting on a dharna in front of the assembly.
The association's convenor, Shesadev Yajnakam Deo, said the state govt has already abolished the contractual system in govt jobs, yet more than 13,000 junior teachers continue to work on a contractual basis for the first six years of their employment.
"We are now called junior teachers (schematic) instead of junior teachers (contractual). But only a word has been changed. We are currently receiving Rs 16,100 per month as remuneration.
In case of death during the first six months, our families do not get any benefits from the govt. The first six years of our service will not be counted for career progression because our job becomes regular after six years of service.
This system should be abolished," he added.
He said that though the BJP-led state govt increased their monthly salary from Rs 11,100 to Rs 16,100, it is yet to abolish the contractual system. "The govt should recruit the schematic teachers as regular teachers from the day of their appointment," Deo added.
School and mass education minister Nityananda Gond said the govt is aware of their demand and will take steps at the appropriate time.
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He appealed to the teachers to refrain from taking to the streets. "Our govt has hiked the salary of junior teachers. It shows that the govt is concerned about them. We will take steps after reviewing the situation," he added. Gond urged the junior teachers not to worry and said they should continue their work.
Deo further said, "The govt is opening Sishu Vatikas in primary schools to teach children before they enrol in Class I. But infrastructure and manpower in the schools is not sufficient for starting the Sishu Vatikas. If the govt does not appoint teachers for the Sishu Vatikas, it will be an extra burden for us. We urge the govt to appoint teachers for this new initiative under the National Education Policy (NEP)."
