1.30 lakh Odisha primary teachers take mass leave, 54k schools closed, 40 lakh students suffer
Bhubaneswar (PTI): As the indefinite ceasework by primary teachers of state-run schools in Odisha entered the sixth day on Wednesday, about 1.30 lakh teachers took mass leave after closing down about 54,000 schools across the state.
While teachers staged an agitation pressing for the abolition of the contractual appointment system and the reimplementation of old pension, about 40 lakh students of state-run schools remained out of their institutions. The teachers continued their stir despite the Odisha government's appeal to withdraw their strike.
The teachers under the banner of United Primary Teachers Federation launched an indefinite agitation last Friday (September 8) for fulfillment of their demands include abolition of the contractual appointment system, hike in grade pay and restoration of the old pension scheme.
As the government did not take any steps on their demands, the aggrieved teachers went on mass leave and staged protests before the offices of block education officers (BEOs), said Brahmananda Maharana, an agitating teacher.
Due to the protest, primary education in 56,000 schools has been hit badly. Maximum schools were locked after prayers while in some schools, one or two teachers conducted the classes.
"Instead of looking into our demands, the government has constituted a sub-committee. When an inter-ministerial panel has already been constituted, what is the need of the sub-committee?," a teacher leader asked. He also alleged that the sub-committee was formed "only to delay the process".
Meanwhile, opposition BJP and Congress slammed the state government for failing to address the issues of school teachers.
Though five days have already passed, the government has failed to address their grievances, said state BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal.
Due to the apathy of the state government, the entire education system has virtually collapsed in the state, he alleged.
"When the government can spend Rs 500 crore on the chopper ride of a secretary, why are they unable to pay proper salary to the teachers?" asked the BJP leader.
State Congress president Sarat Pattanayak said an emergency' like situation has been created in the education system in Odisha. The government is sitting idle without resolving their issues, he said.
On the other hand, BJD MLA Arabinda Dhali said the state government will certainly look into their genuine demands.
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
