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New Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Deputy CM KV Singh Deo suffers hairline fracture during Cuttack visit
CUTTACK: Deputy chief minister KV Singh Deo sustained a hairline fracture after twisting his foot at the collectorate here on Sunday. Singh Deo had gone to the lower Balijatra ground in the morning to review preparedness for the Nari Shakti Mela, scheduled to commence from June 13. He then held a meeting at the collectorate conference hall with officials to discuss the preparations. However, when he was heading out of the hall after wrapping up the meeting, the minister accidentally twisted his foot. He was rushed to the SCB medical college and hospital and the X-Ray revealed he had sustained a hairline fracture in his left foot. He was provided necessary treatment and advised rest. Scheduled to begin from June 13, the Nari Shakti Mela will be celebrated to mark the first anniversary of the BJP government in the state. Speaking to mediapersons after the review meeting, Singh Deo said Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will inaugurate the Mela which will be held across the state till June 20.
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Protests mount as 10,000 teachers oppose education reform in Chhattisgarh amid fears of staff shortage, burnout
RAIPUR: As many as 10,000 members of twenty-three teachers' unions took to the streets here on Wednesday to protest against the Chhattisgarh government's decision to rationalise school education. They attempted to stage a demonstration at the state secretariat on Tuta Road. Frustration over the policy led thousands of school teachers to rally against what they perceive as a move that could jeopardise both their jobs and the quality of education. On May 27, the Chhattisgarh government issued an order to rationalise 10,463 schools across the state. Teachers fear that this decision could result in the loss of jobs for as many as 43,000 teachers. Despite heavy police deployment in multiple layers, protesters broke through initial barricades, chanting slogans against the state government and demanding an immediate rollback of the decision. Teachers argue that rationalisation would weaken government schools, making it impossible for two teachers to manage eighteen classes effectively. Former Deputy Chief Minister T.S. Singh Deo has criticised the decision, calling it unjust and detrimental to the future of students in the state. The government, however, maintains that the restructuring is essential to enhance education standards and ensure equitable distribution of teachers. Speaking to IANS, Singh Deo stated that this is not a new attempt. He recalled that during the BJP regime, around 2,000 to 2,500 schools were shut down in the name of rationalisation, and the same effort is now being repeated. While removing teachers from schools where their numbers exceed sanctioned posts is understandable, he emphasised that the situation is alarming in places where there are no teachers. According to available data, out of over 56,000 government schools in Chhattisgarh, more than 5,500 are single-teacher schools, and some have no teachers at all. He argued that if this move is purely aimed at cost-cutting, it is a flawed and inhumane approach. Beyond education, the policy has severe implications for employment. Some teachers have lost their positions, while others must now travel long distances to their reassigned schools. The reduction in available vacancies adds further pressure, increasing workloads for remaining staff and raising concerns about teacher burnout. The government claims that many schools have more teachers than needed, while others lack sufficient staff. According to official data, 6,872 primary schools have only one teacher, while 212 schools have none. Among 13,149 pre-middle schools, 255 have just one teacher, and 48 schools have no teachers. The National Education Policy 2020 recommends a maximum of thirty students per teacher. In Chhattisgarh, the ratio is currently between twenty-two and twenty-six students per teacher, which is considered acceptable. However, teachers fear that rationalisation could disrupt this balance. Teachers' organisations and other bodies have alleged that the government is trying to avoid new recruitments through this policy. Currently, the state needs 12,832 teachers, but after rationalisation, this number may drop to 5,370. An office bearer of Shikshak Sajha Manch, Chhattisgarh, stated that merging schools with fewer students will further reduce the recruitment requirement, easing the pressure on the government to hire new teachers. Rationalisation is often viewed as a strategic measure used by governments to optimise resources, but critics claim it is being misused in this case to justify staff cuts. According to official data, thousands of schools either lack teachers or have only one educator managing multiple classes. While the National Education Policy 2020 recommends a student-teacher ratio of thirty to one, Chhattisgarh currently maintains a ratio of twenty-two to twenty-six students per teacher, which is considered reasonable. However, teachers fear that the rationalisation process will disrupt this balance, ultimately affecting student learning. Government officials argue that the decision aligns with policies designed to improve infrastructure and minimise dropout rates. However, the state has not officially provided a clear justification for the move. Despite reassurances, educators remain unconvinced, insisting that the policy prioritises administrative efficiency over genuine educational progress. The debate continues, with teachers determined to oppose changes they believe could harm the state's school system. Ready to empower your child for the AI era? Join our program now! Hurry, only a few seats left.
Hans India
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Teachers' rally in Raipur: Protest against Chhattisgarh govt's school rationalisation policy
Raipur: As many as 10,000 members of twenty-three teachers' unions took to the streets here on Wednesday to protest against the Chhattisgarh government's decision to rationalise school education. They attempted to stage a demonstration at the state secretariat on Tuta Road. Frustration over the policy led thousands of school teachers to rally against what they perceive as a move that could jeopardise both their jobs and the quality of education. On May 27, the Chhattisgarh government issued an order to rationalise 10,463 schools across the state. Teachers fear that this decision could result in the loss of jobs for as many as 43,000 teachers. Despite heavy police deployment in multiple layers, protesters broke through initial barricades, chanting slogans against the state government and demanding an immediate rollback of the decision. Teachers argue that rationalisation would weaken government schools, making it impossible for two teachers to manage eighteen classes effectively. Former Deputy Chief Minister T.S. Singh Deo has criticised the decision, calling it unjust and detrimental to the future of students in the state. The government, however, maintains that the restructuring is essential to enhance education standards and ensure equitable distribution of teachers. Speaking to IANS, Singh Deo stated that this is not a new attempt. He recalled that during the BJP regime, around 2,000 to 2,500 schools were shut down in the name of rationalisation, and the same effort is now being repeated. While removing teachers from schools where their numbers exceed sanctioned posts is understandable, he emphasised that the situation is alarming in places where there are no teachers. According to available data, out of over 56,000 government schools in Chhattisgarh, more than 5,500 are single-teacher schools, and some have no teachers at all. He argued that if this move is purely aimed at cost-cutting, it is a flawed and inhumane approach. Beyond education, the policy has severe implications for employment. Some teachers have lost their positions, while others must now travel long distances to their reassigned schools. The reduction in available vacancies adds further pressure, increasing workloads for remaining staff and raising concerns about teacher burnout. The government claims that many schools have more teachers than needed, while others lack sufficient staff. According to official data, 6,872 primary schools have only one teacher, while 212 schools have none. Among 13,149 pre-middle schools, 255 have just one teacher, and 48 schools have no teachers. The National Education Policy 2020 recommends a maximum of thirty students per teacher. In Chhattisgarh, the ratio is currently between twenty-two and twenty-six students per teacher, which is considered acceptable. However, teachers fear that rationalisation could disrupt this balance. Teachers' organisations and other bodies have alleged that the government is trying to avoid new recruitments through this policy. Currently, the state needs 12,832 teachers, but after rationalisation, this number may drop to 5,370. An office bearer of Shikshak Sajha Manch, Chhattisgarh, stated that merging schools with fewer students will further reduce the recruitment requirement, easing the pressure on the government to hire new teachers. Rationalisation is often viewed as a strategic measure used by governments to optimise resources, but critics claim it is being misused in this case to justify staff cuts. According to official data, thousands of schools either lack teachers or have only one educator managing multiple classes. While the National Education Policy 2020 recommends a student-teacher ratio of thirty to one, Chhattisgarh currently maintains a ratio of twenty-two to twenty-six students per teacher, which is considered reasonable. However, teachers fear that the rationalisation process will disrupt this balance, ultimately affecting student learning. Government officials argue that the decision aligns with policies designed to improve infrastructure and minimise dropout rates. However, the state has not officially provided a clear justification for the move. Despite reassurances, educators remain unconvinced, insisting that the policy prioritises administrative efficiency over genuine educational progress. The debate continues, with teachers determined to oppose changes they believe could harm the state's school system.
New Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Odisha Deputy CM KV Singh Deo calls for close cooperation among countries to help migrant workers
BHUBANESWAR : Deputy chief minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo on Wednesday called for strengthening cross-border cooperation and sharing of best practices for helping migrant workers. Addressing the South Asia Labour Mobility Conference held under the joint auspices of the Bhutan government and World Bank at Thimphu, Singh Deo representing India, said, Migration is a multifaceted reality that greatly affects the quality of life and economic growth of the people. In India, about 10 crore workers migrate to other places every year, usually for one to six months. Singh Deo, also the chairman of the Task Force for Migrant Workers, highlighted the problems faced by the migrant workers in India with specific reference to Odisha and the major steps that have been taken by the state government to combat exploitative advance payment system and regulating informal recruitment chain. Creating awareness for informed migration, strengthening skill development linkages and the steps taken for working towards inter-state portability of services are the other initiatives of Odisha to protect the interest of the migrant workers. Migrant labour help desks in multiple states and creation of district-level emergency relief fund of Rs 15 lakh each are the other measures to help the workers, he said. Leading economists of the World Bank from South Asia, Middle East and North Africa, and representatives from Maldives, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, UAE, Canada, Australia, Italy and Philippines attended the conference.
New Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Odisha DyCM KV Singh Deo in Bhutan to attend global conclave on labour mobility
BHUBANESWAR: Deputy chief minister KV Singh Deo is on a two-day visit to Bhutan to attend the South Asia Labour Mobility Conference organised by the World Bank. Singh Deo will represent India in the two-day international conference to be held at Thimphu, the national capital of Bhutan, beginning May 20. He is currently holding the post of chairman of the task force on distress migration. Distress migration being a major issue of the state, Singh Deo said the international conference will be helpful in finding a permanent solution to the vexed problem through policy formation. Principal secretary of Labour and Employees' State Insurance department, Chitra Arumugam is also attending the conference along with Singh Deo. About 100 representatives from Bhutan, Middle East countries, North Africa, Italy, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Jamaica, Bangladesh, World Bank and government officials will participate in the conference.
