Bhubaneswar, 5th Sept 2025: The Primary Teachers’ Union (PISSTA) has announced that they will stage a protest during the upcoming Odisha Legislative Assembly session. The union has expressed deep concerns about the neglect of primary education development in the state.
Despite vacancies remaining unfilled in primary schools, no adequate steps have been taken to address these issues. The union points out that the implementation of the National Education Policy started this academic year, but the poor condition of many primary schools persists, along with unresolved demands of the teachers.
One major issue is that although Anganwadi (childcare centers) have opened, no new child caregivers have been appointed. This has increased the workload on existing teachers. Currently, if there are more than 30 children, a new caregiver is supposed to be appointed, but this is not happening, creating difficulties for teachers.
The union demands a revision of this rule, suggesting that schools with at least 10 children should get one Anganwadi caregiver appointed.
Furthermore, before the upcoming elections, the union demands that the government fulfill its promises such as:
- Salary payment to primary teachers at central rates.
- Regularization of contract teachers as permanent teachers.
- Counting the 6-year contract period for national increments.
- Providing old-age pension and health insurance.
The union leaders have warned that if these demands are not met by Guru Diba (Teachers’ Day), they will intensify their agitation during the Assembly session.
The union’s leadership, including President Brahmananda Maharana, General Editor Agadhu Sethy, Treasurer Gopal Sen, Organization Editor Keshab Chandra Dalai, Working President Dharanidhar Dhar Mallik, and other senior members like Srikant Barik and Chintamani Padhi, have issued this warning to the government.