Odisha: Teachers strike on, concern over Plus Two exams; Minister Samir Dash Urges Agitators For Cooperation

With two days remaining for the start of the annual Plus II examinations 2023, the ongoing protest of teachers has emerged as a major challenge for the Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) to ensure smooth conduct of the test.

This year around 3.5 lakh students are going to sit for the examinations. Of them, around 2 lakh students are reading alone in the 662 category colleges. As their examination is going to start on March 1, they are oscillating between hope and despair as the teachers who will manage the examinations are staging a dharna to press for their demands of ‘equal grade, equal salary’ in Bhubaneswar. It has been 13 days since the teachers under the banner of the 662 Category Teachers ‘Association launched their strike.

While Minister Samir Dash urged agitating teachers to cooperate in the exam beginning from March 1, striking teachers have decided to boycott the exam and continue indefinite strike if their demands are not met.

Around 4,000 teachers of 662 category have resumed their strike seeking remuneration at par with others under Odisha (Payment of Grant-in-Aid to the Non-Government Aided Degree Colleges, Aided Junior Colleges and Aided Higher Secondary Schools) Grant-in-Aid Order, 2022 have reiterated that they will not undertake invigilation duty. The strike entered the 14th day on Sunday.

CHSE officials couldn’t be reached for comments, while School and Mass Education authorities said that the matter will be taken up with the teachers. They also assured students and parents that the exam will be conducted smoothly.Officials said preparations for the exam are on last stage and the question papers have been dispatched to the question hubs.