Bhubaneswar: Scores of teachers under the banner of ‘Odisha Secondary School Teachers’ Association’ Wednesday started a three-day-long day-night protest at Lower PMG Square in Bhubaneswar. The teachers are demanding fulfilment of their 21-point charter of demands which includes pension and gratuity among others.
One of the protesting teachers said that in Odisha there are 194 schools where teachers are working without getting any salary and have been deprived of government aid. Upon retirement, teachers have to opt for other income sources to survive, he added.
Another agitating teacher said that there is no pension provision for them and they have no other way than to sell vegetables or rear cattle to sustain their families.
Another lady teacher claimed that there is no government aid in as many as 194 schools and even after serving for 12 years she has not received any government benefits. She added that students in their schools are also not getting free textbooks, uniforms and bicycles which other government school children are getting.
PNN