Berhampur: Around 30 lakh students have been paying the price of the fight between teachers and the government over the alleged discrimination in pay compared to regular government service teachers.
The future of the students seems to be in the dark as they have been out of school from August 16. Since the half-yearly exams are approaching the students are a worried lot. Teaching has been hit in around 2,608 schools and 1,000 colleges across the state.
Meanwhile, the government has refused to bow before the teachers, and has directed enforcement of the ‘no work no pay’ rule. The government has sent a letter to all DEOs asking them to check the attendance of teachers and to ensure that striking teachers do not get pay. This has intensified the agitation and more teachers have joined the strike.
Around 31,649 students of 181 schools in Ganjam district are suffering as 1942 teachers of the district have joined the stir.
Students are uncertain as to when schools will reopen as the teachers have warned that they would intensify their agitation. The teachers have now threatened to shift their protests to MLA quarters and block offices from September 10.
The teachers say they do not enjoy government benefits like seniority in tenure, maintenance of service books, dearness and house rent allowances and pension.
Meanwhile, guardians are worried about their children. They have no other option but to approach private tutors.
PNN