Bhubaneswar/Cuttack, April 5: The Examination Committee of the Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) on Tuesday decided to give 24 hours to the agitating non-government college teachers to join the evaluation of the annual Plus Two papers, failing which it would make alternative measures.
Briefing media persons after the meeting, CHSE chairperson Dr Basudeb Chhatoi said the Examination Committee, after reviewing the situation and intense deliberations, decided to make one last request to the agitating non-government college teachers to join the evaluation work considering the future of the student community and the expectations of the parents and guardians.
“If the teachers ignore our request and continue their agitation, we have made alternative arrangements. As per the arrangements, the Council will request the Officers on Special Duty (OSDs) of all government, private and autonomous degree colleges and the three new universities—Rama Devi Women’s University, Khallikote University and GM University—to relieve their teachers, who have not been assigned evaluation duty by the Council. We have made necessary arrangements for them so that they would join their duty at the nearest valuation zones. We have requested the zone supervisors to appoint these teachers. The Council will treat these as regular appointments. These teachers will be given appointment in the zones where there are vacancies,” Chhatoi said.
But he made it clear that the Council Examination Committee will not take such a step. “Our first priority would be to request the agitating teachers to refrain from the strike. If they do not respond to our request within 24 hours, we will take the alternative steps from next evening,” he pointed out. Talking about the steps the Council would take if the agitating teachers continue picketing in front the valuation centres, Chhatoi said the state government is aware of the situation.
“The government will take action against them as per the Conduct of Examination Act. Besides, as per rules, we have informed the matter to the police,” he added. He further said the Examination Committee has asked him to inform the steps he would take in this regard to the Higher Education department. Meanwhile, acting on the request of the Council, police has decided to take adequate steps to ensure smooth evaluation.
“Instructions have been given to all district Superintendents of Police (SPs) to deploy police in all 49 valuation centres and ensure that no teachers engaged in evaluation are disturbed. Apart from this, the SPs have been directed to take necessary action against the agitating teachers if they try to create law and order situation,” he said. Stating that 10 platoons of police force have been deployed in all valuation centres, Mohanty said deployment of additional forces will be made, if necessary.
