Hunger strike off by teachers, after assurance from Odisha government

As per the association members, more than 13,000 teacher posts were vacant at the high school level while over 60,000 posts are yet to be filled at the primary level.

Thousands of teacher aspirants under the banner of AOTAA had joined the protest at Mahatma Gandhi Marg for over a week seeking recruitment to posts in government high schools, primary schools. (Photo | Express)

BHUBANESWAR: The teacher aspirants, who have been on hunger strike for the last three days at Mahatma Gandhi Marg here, called off their protest on Monday following assurance from the state government on active consideration of their demands.

The representatives of the All Odisha Teacher Aspirants’ Association (AOTAA) withdrew their strike after having discussion with the state government. They had launched the agitation a week back seeking immediate recruitment to various teaching posts in government schools.

“A three-member delegation of our association held discussion with the government on the matter. During the meeting, we were assured that a two-member committee will be formed by the SME department to prepare the recruitment calendar for the vacant teacher posts in schools and necessary steps taken accordingly to fill up the vacancies,” said Sushil, one of the members of the delegation.

He said the government assured them that steps will be initiated for recruitment to posts vacant in Odisha Adarsha Vidyalayas (OAVs) in September, while recruitment calendar prepared for filling up of vacant special educator and junior teacher posts towards November and other vacant posts such as SSB, TGT and PGT towards mid-December. Following the assurances, they called of the agitation and hunger strike, Sushil said.

Thousands of teacher aspirants under the banner of AOTAA had joined the protest at Mahatma Gandhi Marg for over a week seeking recruitment to posts in government high schools, primary schools, special education schools and OAVs. They alleged that despite large-scale vacancies, the state government had not started any recruitment process for teaching posts for the last two years.

As per the association members, more than 13,000 teacher posts were vacant at the high school level while over 60,000 posts are yet to be filled at the primary level. They said there were also vacancies in special schools and OAVs.

“These vacancies are adversely affecting teaching and learning, particularly in rural schools,” the association had alleged.