Plus II evaluation: Odisha govt directs to suspend absentee teachers

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has asked the presidents of governing bodies and special officers of all non-government aided colleges to immediately suspend the absentee lecturers at Plus II evaluation centres.

The Directorate of Higher Education has decided to take the action as teachers did not join the evaluation process and resorted to strike pressing their demands before the government.

Sources said that although 5,800 teachers were asked to join the evaluation process this year, around 50 percent of them have not joined due to the stir by Block Grant, 488 category and 662 category teachers.

“It has come to the notice of the government that some teachers appointed as examiners for Plus II evaluation, 2018, have willfully absented themselves from evaluation centres. You are requested to initiate disciplinary action against such teachers failing which the governing bodies of such colleges will be punished as per law,” the higher education additional director warned in his letter.

The government sought compliance within a week without fail.

Similarly, the higher education director has issued show cause notices to the absentee lecturers and readers of government colleges and asked them to reply within three days.

On the other hand, the Odisha School College Teachers’ and Employees’ United Forum (OSCTUF) said they will continue their protest against the government and boycott evaluation.

“We will continue our protest. The government is trying to suppress us,” said the President of the 448-category college lecturers association, Pabitra Mahala.

The teachers have been agitating since March 19 demanding a notification regarding withdrawal of the affidavit clause prescribed in the Grant-in-Aid (GIA) Policy-2017 along with six other demands.