The Odisha government has revised its order on the regularisation of junior teachers working in state-run primary and upper primary schools. This decision comes after the Orissa High Court issued a stay on the earlier notification. The revised notification aims to clarify the terms of service and benefits for these teachers, ensuring a fair process for their regularisation.
- Junior teachers will be regularised as assistant teachers in pay level-V(A) immediately, subject to conditions.
- Service from joining until December 2025 will be considered contractual and will not count towards seniority or service benefits.
- Regular pay and service benefits will apply from January 1, 2026.
- About 13,000 junior teachers are affected by this order.
Why did Odisha revise the junior teachers' regularisation order?
The Odisha government initially issued a notification on April 2, 2023, to regularise junior teachers working in government primary and upper primary schools. However, the Orissa High Court stayed this notification after legal challenges were raised. To address the court's concerns and legal issues, the government revised the order and issued a new notification on June 22, 2023. This revised order aims to provide clarity on the terms of regularisation and service benefits for the teachers.
Who are the junior teachers affected by this order?
The junior teachers referred to in the notification are those engaged on a schematic or contractual basis in state-run primary and upper primary schools since the 2023-24 academic year. Approximately 13,000 such teachers, including women, are working across Odisha's government schools. These teachers have been providing essential educational services and were seeking regularisation to secure their employment status and benefits.
What are the key terms of the revised regularisation notification?
According to the revised notification issued by the School and Mass Education Department, junior teachers continuing in service will be regularised as assistant teachers in pay level-V(A) of the elementary cadre with immediate effect, provided they meet the prescribed conditions.
The period of service from their respective dates of joining until December 2025 will be treated as service in a schematic or contractual capacity. This means that this period will not count towards seniority in the regular cadre nor will it entitle them to any consequential service benefits for that time.
From January 1, 2026, these teachers will be entitled to regular pay and other admissible service benefits applicable to assistant teachers, following government rules and instructions.
What prompted the protests by junior teachers in Bhubaneswar?
Before the revised notification was issued, contractual junior teachers in Bhubaneswar protested to demand regularisation and better job security. Their protests highlighted the need for clear government action regarding their employment status. The government responded by revising the regularisation order to address these concerns while complying with legal requirements.
How does this order affect the teachers' seniority and benefits?
The revised order clearly states that the service period until December 2025 will be considered contractual and will not grant seniority or service benefits. However, from January 1, 2026, teachers will receive regular pay and benefits as assistant teachers. This distinction helps the government manage legal and administrative challenges while providing a pathway to regular employment for these teachers.
What is the significance of pay level-V(A) for assistant teachers?
Pay level-V(A) refers to a specific salary scale within the elementary cadre for assistant teachers. Regularising junior teachers at this pay level means they will receive a standard government salary and benefits associated with this position. This change improves their financial stability and formal recognition within the education system.
What are the next steps for the junior teachers after this notification?
Junior teachers who meet the prescribed conditions will be regularised immediately as assistant teachers. They should prepare for the transition to regular employment status, including adjustments to pay and benefits starting January 1, 2026. The government will continue to monitor the implementation of this order to ensure compliance and address any further issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When will the junior teachers start receiving regular pay and benefits?
A: Regular pay and admissible service benefits will begin from January 1, 2026, as per the revised notification.
Q: Does the service period before 2026 count towards seniority?
A: No, the service period from joining until December 2025 will be treated as contractual and will not count towards seniority or service benefits.
Q: How many junior teachers are affected by this order?
A: Approximately 13,000 junior teachers working in government primary and upper primary schools in Odisha are affected.
Q: Why was the original regularisation notification stayed by the High Court?
A: The Orissa High Court stayed the original notification due to legal challenges, prompting the government to revise the order to address these issues.
