Teachers’ Day Protest in Bhubaneswar: Unaided Teachers Demand Grant‑in‑Aid, Pension

Bhubaneswar, Sept 5: On Teachers’ Day, hundreds of unaided school and college teachers staged a protest at Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Bhubaneswar, demanding parity with aided institutions.

Organised by the Odisha School College Teachers’ and Employees’ Coordination Committee (OSCTECC), the agitation entered its 21st consecutive day.

Teachers pressed for inclusion of 194 high schools under the Grant‑in‑Aid system, pension facilities, filling of vacant posts, and raising the retirement age from 60 to 62.

Protesters lamented that instead of celebrating Teachers’ Day with students, they were compelled to demonstrate for their rights.

Voices from the protest highlighted years of service without benefits, calling the situation discriminatory. “We are helpless; the government must act,” said Surma Patel, a woman teacher.

OSCTECC vowed to continue the agitation until concrete action is taken.