Ad-hoc high school teachers, who were protesting on Mahatma Gandhi Marg here for nearly two weeks, called off their agitation after the state government assured them that their jobs would be regularised.
Sources said that as per the decision of the School and Mass Education (SME), the contractual high school teachers in the department will be regularized on the basis of Odisha Group B, C and D Posts (Repeal and Special Provisions) Rules – 2022.
Regularization has been considered for those teachers (initial appointments) employed as per Odisha Group-B Posts (Contractual Appointment) Rules 2013. Sources in the SME department said the move would benefit over 18,000 ad hoc teachers. Besides this, the government has also ensured that the move does not affect the seniority of those appointed on contract prior to the 2013 rules.
Accordingly, the regular service period of the teachers appointed on contract prior to the notification of Odisha Group-B Posts (Contract Appointment) Rules-2013 and who have completed six years of contract service before the notification of 2013 Rules will be six years of their contract service will be counted upon completion and their seniority will be maintained as per the position in the merit list in the year of recruitment.
In addition, the teachers appointed before the 2013 rules will also be entitled to a notional pay not less than the teachers recruited as per the Odisha Group-B Posts (Contractual Appointment Rules) 2013. The agitating teachers welcomed the move and withdrew their protest. Decision is important. Odisha Teachers Federation leader Prabhakar Jaisingh said, “The move is historic and does not affect the seniority of teachers appointed prior to the 2013 contract appointment rules.”
