This is an archive article published on September 13, 2023
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1.30 lakh Odisha teachers go on strike; seek abolition of contractual appointments, pay hike
Teachers under the banner of the All Utkal Primary Teachers’ Federation (AUPTF) protested in front of multiple district and block education offices as well as in the state capital Bhubaneswar.
The teachers, under the banner of All Utkal Primary Teachers’ Federation (AUPTF), also staged protests in front of various district and block education offices across the state.
More than 1.30 lakh teachers across over 56,000 primary and upper primary schools in Odisha went on strike Wednesday seeking abolition of the contractual appointment system, hike in grade pay and restoration of the old pension scheme.
Teachers under the banner of the All Utkal Primary Teachers’ Federation (AUPTF) protested in front of multiple district and block education offices as well as in the state capital Bhubaneswar. The strike disrupted the mid-day meal programme, with students returning home after finding schools locked in several places.
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Though the teachers had launched their agitation on September 8, they decided to go on mass leave Wednesday, accusing the state government of not taking any step to fulfil their demands.
The protesters also want the inclusion of ex-cadre teachers in the elementary cadre and formulation of service cadres for art and physical education teachers.
The teachers’ strike also disrupted the mid-day meal programme in schools.
“The state government has always neglected the concerns and issues of the primary teachers. It’s adopting delay tactics. We will continue to be on leave till our demands are fulfilled,” said Jyoti Ranjan Mishra, coordinator, AUPTF.
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Official sources in the state school and mass education department said the government constituted a five-member panel Tuesday to look into the teachers’ demands. The panel has been asked to submit its report to an inter-ministerial committee following which the government will take a call.
The government also urged the agitating teachers to withdraw their strikes.
Mishra called for the intervention of the chief minister’s office and said teachers are not ready to accept any kind of committee.
Leaders from BJP, Congress and even the ruling BJD extended their support to the demands of the primary teachers.
The teachers, under the banner of All Utkal Primary Teachers’ Federation (AUPTF), also staged protests in front of various district and block education offices across the state. 
The teachers’ strike also disrupted the mid-day meal programme in schools.
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