Junior teachers protest over job regularisation

Bhubaneswar : Hundreds of junior school teachers from across Odisha gathered in the state capital on Friday to stage a protest demanding the regularisation of their jobs and the abolition of the contractual appointment system. Assembling at Mahatma
Gandhi Marg, the teachers held banners and placards decrying the current contractual employment policy in government-run primary schools. They called for immediate action from the state government to address their concerns. “We receive a monthly
salary of just Rs 16,000, which is not sufficient to support our families,” said one protesting teacher. In several BJP-ruled states, junior teachers are paid significantly
better,” said protestor, also pointing out the lack of social security benefits for contractual staff. Another teacher emphasized the need for parity, stating, “We are
demanding equal pay for equal work. Our jobs must be regularized, and the practice of hiring junior teachers on a contractual basis must end.” According to protestors, nearly 16,000 junior teachers are currently serving under contractual terms in government
primary schools throughout Odisha. They warned that the agitation would intensify if the government failed to respond to their demands promptly.