​​​​​​​Bhubaneswar, September 5: The Odisha government has appealed to striking teachers, urging them to halt their ongoing protests and resume their duties, assuring them that their concerns will be addressed in due course. School and Mass Education Minister Nityanand Gond emphasized the government's commitment to resolving the issues raised by the teachers, asking for patience as they work towards a solution.

"We are concerned about the well-being of teachers across all categories. Odisha's education sector is growing rapidly, and we are committed to addressing all its concerns through discussions and a thorough examination of its demands," Gond stated.

This appeal follows a significant protest on Teachers' Day, where thousands of teachers and staff from non-government-aided and unaided institutions marked the occasion as a "Black Day." The protest, held at Lower PMG Square in Bhubaneswar, drew around 20,000 teachers who gathered to voice their dissatisfaction over long-pending demands. The protestors presented a five-point charter of demands, which includes block grant funding and pension benefits, among other issues.

The Odisha School and College Teachers and Employees Coordination Committee accused the government of neglecting their legitimate needs and failing to act on their grievances. In response, Association President Biswaranjan Das declared that Teachers' Day would be observed as a Black Day to protest the government's perceived indifference. The teachers’ demands include block grant funding, pension benefits, job security, career advancement policies, and financial parity with government institutions.