Sikshya Sahayaks hospitalised

BHUBANESWAR: As many as seven sikshya sahayaks on hunger strike were hospitalised on Saturday after their health condition deteriorated. The sikshya sahayaks under the aegis of Odisha Sikshya Sahayak Association resorted to an indefinite hunger strike at Lower PMG Square here on Friday demanding regularisation of jobs. The seven are undergoing treatment at Capital Hospital here.Association secretary Susanta Kumar Behera said over 70,000 teacher posts are lying vacant in primary and upper primary schools across the State. While the  teaching has been hit due to paucity of teachers in many schools, the Government is yet to take any steps to regularise services of sikshya sahayaks, he alleged.While more than 44,000 sikshya sahayaks in the State are drawing a measly remuneration of Rs 4,000 a month each, the Government has turned a blind eye to their plight, said member Kanhei Behera. Despite repeated reminders, the Government has not conceded their demands, he charged.The Association said it apprised School and Mass Education Minister Pratap Jena of their long-standing demand in 2009, 2010 and 2011. But no action has been taken in this regard yet. While the Government is taking pride in implementing Right to Education (RTE), it is violating Section 26 of the RTE Act which says mandatory filling up of vacant teacher posts, Kanhei said.The sikshya sahayaks also submitted memoranda, addressed to the Government, to the respective district collectors between March 14 and 17. These have also fallen on deaf ears.The agitation will continue till the Government concedes the demand, said Association president Prasant Kumar Sundarray.