Teachers’ Day brought a major announcement for the teaching community in Odisha, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announcing the regularisation of the jobs of more than 13,000 schematic junior teachers.
A statement released by the Odisha government stated that the move covers teachers appointed in 2025 and aims to provide them with long-term job stability. Notably, the declaration was made after a delegation from the Odisha Schematic Junior Teachers’ Association met the Chief Minister at the State Guest House.
Govt Identifies Key Challenges in Education
The decision comes alongside broader initiatives in the education sector. At the state-level Teachers’ Day celebration, Chief Minister Majhi highlighted that reducing dropout rates and strengthening primary education remain pressing challenges.
The CM stated that official data indicate that nearly one-fourth of tribal children discontinue their studies midway.
To address this, the government has rolled out the Shahid Madho Singh Haath Kharcha Scheme, which has already benefited more than three lakh students.
The Chief Minister also noted that Odisha has begun implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 from this year, a framework that has been delayed for several years but which is expected to improve teacher availability and infrastructure.
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Teachers’ Day Protests in Bhubaneswar
While over 13,000 schematic teachers received clarity on their employment status, other sections of the teaching community staged protests in the state capital on the same day.
Hundreds of members of the Odisha School College Teachers’ and Employees’ Coordination Committee (OSCTECC) demonstrated at Gandhi Marg demanding pension provisions for retired teachers, an increase in retirement age from 60 to 62 years, and resolution of long-pending service-related issues.
The protesters alleged that many educators, especially in unaided institutions, have served for decades without proper retirement benefits. They said repeated assurances had failed to translate into concrete action, prompting fresh agitation on Teachers’ Day.