Teachers resort to pen down strike

SAMBALPUR: Around 570 Block Grant schools across Western Orissa have been closed down for an indefinite period after around 700 dissenting teachers declared cease work demanding withdrawal of the Block Grant System and implementation of Grant-in-Aid Rule, 1994.The agitating teachers locked the office of the Circle Inspector of Schools in Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Balangir and Kalahandi districts and set afire their uniforms. Setting a deadline of August 14 before the State Government to address their grievances, the teachers threatened to stage a dharna before the State Assembly. The Sambalpur Education Circle comprises Sambalpur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda and Deogarh districts. The protest is likely to affect around 174 schools in the region. The teachers threatenedto mobilise public opinion against the indifferent attitude of the Governmenttowards their woes, apart from boycotting all Government work including invigilation.