Teachers under the banner of the Odisha Secondary School Teachers' Association began a day-night protest at Lower PMG Square here on Wednesday demanding fulfilment of their 21-point charter of demands.
A huge number of teachers took to the streets demanding pension, gratuity and changes in terms and conditions of their service rules.
There are 194 schools in the State where teachers are working without salary. They are about to retire, but unfortunately, they are not even getting a single penny for their service. A headmaster, after working for 35 years, is forced to sell vegetables to make both ends meet, said an agitating teacher.
Another teacher said, “The Government has done nothing for us. As there is no pension provision, many of us are forced to sell vegetables, rear cattle and take up other menial jobs to run our families after retirement.”