It was a protest with a difference. And the protagonists were schoolchildren seeking appointment of teachers to their school.
Nearly 200 students, accompanied by as many members of the public, blocked the Jajpur-Kayagola road on Friday at village Katikara n Jajpur district. They urged the Government to recruit teachers to fill up the existing vacancies in the Gandhi High School at Katikata under Dasarathapur block. Backed by social activists and other stakeholders, the students not only boycotted their classes but criticised the authorities for their laxity in discharging their duties of identifying and filling up of vacancies.
Students from Classes V to X participated in the strike. They were given an assurance by some concerned officials who visited the spot, but they insisted on the presence of the District Education Officer. Then, the Block Education Officer rushed to the spot, but his presence brought no solace to the students as he pointed out that the teachers’ recruitment process had been stalled by a Government decree and, hence, he could only depute teachers from other schools. Due to non-appointment of six teachers, education takes a back seat n the school. When contacted, District Education Officer (DEO) Kapilendra Mishra said, “The demands of the students and guardians are right. The authorities will soon fill up all the vacant posts.”