Bhubaneswar, 5th Sept 2025: In an effort to improve the quality of pre-primary education, the state government has emphasized the opening of Shishu Batikas (pre-schools) in schools. To support these Shishu Batikas, the government had issued guidelines for the appointment of Shishu Sebikas (childcare workers). However, the Primary School Teachers’ Association has raised objections, arguing that the current guidelines prevent the effective appointment of these workers.
The association has demanded that these guidelines be amended to allow for the appointment of at least one Shishu Sebika in every primary school with fewer than 10 children, and in a 1:10 ratio of trained Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) teachers where applicable.
According to the association, the government is implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) without first developing the necessary school infrastructure or recruiting sufficient teachers. They claim that children enrolled in these Shishu Batikas are merely attending school and returning home without proper instruction or care due to the lack of staff.
The association has therefore demanded:
- Development of foundational infrastructure in schools
- Filling of vacant teacher posts in primary schools
- Central pay scale salary for primary teachers, as is done in other states
- Recognition of schematic (contractual) teachers as regular teachers
- Counting the 6-year contractual period into permanent service with national increments
- Implementation of the old pension scheme
They allege that the government has been adopting delaying tactics in fulfilling these promises, which were made earlier.
The association expressed hope that on the upcoming Teachers’ Day (September 5), the government will fulfill all the pending demands of the teachers.