Bhubaneswar: Teachers in Odisha expressed their disappointment as the Mukhyamantri Shiksha Puraskar ceremony for 2024 and 2025 was unexpectedly canceled.
Originally set to take place on Teachers’ Day this past Saturday, the event had already secured a venue and time, with invitations dispatched to the awardees.
A letter from the CEO of Panchasakha Shiksha Setu to district collectors announced the cancellation, citing an urgent engagement of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi as the reason.
The communication indicated that the state-level award ceremony would be rescheduled, with details regarding the new date and time to be provided later. District collectors were tasked with notifying all award recipients about the cancellation.
This unexpected turn of events has reportedly left teachers disheartened, especially since they were looking forward to being recognized after a two-year hiatus.
The cancellation coincides with ongoing unrest among teachers, lecturers, and education staff who have been participating in an indefinite protest in Bhubaneswar to advocate for their demands.
According to Ranjan Kumar Dash, the convener of the Odisha School College Teachers’ and Employees Coordination Committee (OSCTECC), teachers and educational staff have been protesting continuously since August 16, which is recognized as Teachers’ Demand Day.
The protesters are pushing for the resolution of four primary issues: grant-in-aid, pension, recruitment, and governmentization. Their agitation has persisted for approximately 20 days, despite challenging weather conditions.
On the same day, many teachers from unaided educational institutions demonstrated at Mahatma Gandhi Marg in Bhubaneswar to voice their demands.
As the OSCTECC protest reached its 21st day, participants indicated that they felt compelled to abandon their classrooms to join the demonstration, citing the government’s failure to address their concerns despite numerous appeals.
A significant demand from the committee is to include 194 high schools in the Grant-in-Aid system or to provide them with financial support comparable to that of aided schools.
In the meantime, the School and Mass Education Department has instructed schools throughout Odisha to commemorate Teachers’ Day on September 5.
As part of the celebrations, schools are encouraged to honor retired teachers for their contributions to education, with headmasters asked to invite retired educators from local areas to be recognized during the observance.
