Strike By 4000 Teachers Big Challenge For Conduct Of Plus II Exam In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: With the Plus II examinations in Odisha set to begin on Wednesday, the ongoing strike by over 4000 teachers has emerged as a major challenge for the Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) to ensure smooth conduct of the annual test.

Teachers belonging to 662 category of colleges are on 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.

As their strike entered the 15^th day on Monday, the protesting teachers have made it clear that they will not undertake invigilation duty.

The protesting teachers said though they have been sitting on strike for 15 days, none from the authorities have discussed the issue with them.

Around four lakh students of higher secondary schools will appear for the examination in science, arts, commerce and vocational streams scheduled to begin on March 1. Over two lakh of them are students of 662 category colleges and higher secondary schools, convenor of the agitating teachers’ association Golak Nayak said.

If the demands are not considered, the striking teachers will boycott invigilation duty during the upcoming exams and may even decide against taking part in evaluation process, he said.

School and Mass Education department officials said the matter will be taken up with the teachers and steps will be taken to ensure that the exam is conducted smoothly. Preparations for the exam are on final stage and the question papers have been dispatched to the question hubs.