Teachers' agitation: Odisha Government to replace block grant system with grant-in-aid

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday announced abolition of block grant system in school and colleges after the teachers' agitation over the issue reached 17th day.

BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday announced abolition of block grant system in school and colleges after the teachers' agitation over the issue reached 17th day.

The announcement came after a discussion with representatives from the Odisha School and College United Teachers and Employees' Association at the State Secretariat here. "My Government has decided to abolish the block grant system and replace it with grant-in-aid (GIA) system by which teachers will benefit more," Naveen said and hoped that the decision will help improve the quality of education.

The agitating teachers called off their strike following the announcement of the Chief Minister. Details of the financial implications of the Government decision will be worked out later. The agitating teachers' association has, however, given two months' time to the Government to fulfil other demands.

Teaching in nearly 4,000 high schools and 1,500 colleges across the State was hit due to the agitation. Besides demanding implementation of GIA system irrespective of their categories, the teachers demanded three per cent hike in their salary every year. The State Government had hiked their basic pay structure by 25 per cent last year.

The association is an amalgamation of Block Grant Lecturers' and Employees' Association of 488 Category Aided Colleges, All Odisha 662 (+2 and +3) Non-government Lecturers' and Employees' Association and Odisha School Teachers' Association. Around 80 per cent of schools and nearly 15,000 teachers and employees in 662 and 488 aided colleges respectively in the State were getting block grant aid.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com