Orissa govt warns private schools

Updated on: Monday, September 05, 2011

Orissa government said it would stop all types of assistance to private schools where teachers have been on strike since August 1 unless the schools are opened on Sept 1.

"The state government will be forced to stop all assistance to private schools unless the teachers open the institutions from tomorrow," School and Mass Education minister Pratap Jena told reporters.

State government provides a part of the teachers' salary, funds for maintenance of the institutes and infrastructure of the schools, officials said.

"The government have asked the district collectors to ensure opening of the schools," Jena said his appeal to teachers requesting them to open schools at the interest of the students.

As many as 1983 privately-run schools remained closed since August 1 as the teachers went on agitation demanding grant-in-aid for them and other employees. The teachers in such private schools get 40 per cent of their salaries from the government, officials said.

"We will continue stir until our demands are met," Block-Grant School Teachers Association leader Prasant Mohapatra said.

Teachers, who staged demonstrations in front of the assembly and launched hunger strike here, had to return to their respective villages after the assembly was adjourned sine die on August 27.

The teachers body had also decided to observe September 5 as "Black Day" as part of their agitation, Mohapatra said.

The teachers strike had affected studies of about four lakh students.

While teachers were determined not to open schools unless their demands are met, the minister pointed out that the state government required about Rs 400 crore if it sanctioned grant-in-aid for 26,000 teachers and employees of privately-run block-grant schools.

Jena said a high level committee under the chairmanship of the chief secretary had been formed. "The government will take steps as per the recommendation of the high level committee," the minister said.

Orissa govt warns private schools

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