Evaluation of plus two exam papers: Minister warns action on striking teachers
04 April, Bhubaneswar
Odisha Higher Education Minister Pradip Panigrahi today warned that strong action would be taken against the agitating plus two block grant teachers if they created any problem in the evaluation of plus two examination papers in the state.
Panigrahi said the district collectors were asked to act against the striking teachers for creating trouble in the evaluation of examination paper which commenced Monday.
Around 10,000 block grant lecturers are on strike and have boycotted the evaluation of plus two examination papers demanding the abolition of block grant system, salary at par with the government teachers and to increase the retirement age from 60 to 62 years.
The Minister said the lecturers of the autonomous colleges, aided colleges and retired teachers were roped in to evaluate the examination papers.
He requested the striking lecturers to participate in the evaluation process keeping interest of the students in mind.
As per the decision, the evaluation of examination papers would be made in two phases. While the first phase of evaluation will be conducted from April 4 to 13 and the second phase will be held from April 16 to 25.
As many as 25,000 high school teachers and 10,000 lecturers are on strike demanding the abolition of block grant in system. The government has held several rounds of discussion with the striking teachers to resolve the problem but in vain.
The state, official sources said, would require at least Rs 1,000 crore per year to provide full grant in aid to both the school and college teachers in the state in place of the block grant system.BM