Why Are Junior Teachers in Odisha Demanding Regularization of Their Jobs?

Protest by Junior Teachers in Bhubaneswar

In Bhubaneswar, a significant number of junior school teachers gathered on Friday to voice their concerns regarding the regularization of their employment status and to call for an end to the contractual hiring system. The demonstration took place at Mahatma Gandhi Marg, where teachers, including many women, held up signs and banners expressing their discontent with the current contractual arrangements.

The educators, representing various institutions throughout the state, are urging the government to promptly regularize their positions and abolish the existing contractual system for junior teachers. One protesting teacher highlighted the financial strain of their current monthly salary of Rs 16,000, which she deemed inadequate for supporting her family. She pointed out that junior teachers in other BJP-governed states receive significantly higher salaries.

Another teacher at the protest emphasized the lack of social security provided to junior teachers, stating, "We demand equal pay for equal work and the regularization of our jobs. The current system of contractual appointments for junior teachers in primary schools must be eliminated."

Currently, around 16,000 junior teachers are employed in various government-run primary schools across Odisha. The protesting teachers have warned that they will escalate their demonstrations if their demands are not met by the government.