Odisha Parents’ Federation Launches Hunger Strike Over Education Issues

Protest for Educational Reforms in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: On Friday, the Odisha Parents’ Federation initiated a hunger strike to advocate for the retraction of flawed school textbooks and to push for the enhancement of the Right to Education (RTE) provisions in accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The demonstrators claimed that despite the Chief Minister's previous commitment to withdraw the allegedly incorrect textbooks for grades I to VIII, these materials remain in circulation and are still being utilized in educational institutions.

Additionally, the protesters are calling for the 25% reservation under the RTE Act to be extended to students in grades IX through XII, as well as those pursuing postgraduate studies. The federation contended that although the state government has pledged to fully implement NEP 2020 and provide free education from kindergarten through postgraduate levels, the RTE quota has not been appropriately expanded.

In support of their demands, they referenced Paragraph 8.4 of NEP 2020. The Odisha Parents’ Federation has urged its members and parents of RTE beneficiaries statewide to participate in the hunger strike, framing the protest as a crucial movement to protect students' educational rights.