The computer teachers appointed in Odisha under the Central scheme of Information & Communication Technology (ICT) e-vidyalay project are allegedly being exploited by paying less than what is prescribed by the Union Government.
They are getting Rs. 6,500 per month instead of Rs. 10,000 prescribed by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD).
The teachers alleged that they were getting less salary because the State government has employed them through a private agency, which is allegedly pocketing Rs. 3,500. At present, around 4,000 youths are working in different government high schools under the ICT e-vidyalaya project.
“Odisha government seems to be promoting this private company which is gaining Rs. 1.2 crore,” said former deputy Speaker of Odisha assembly Ramchandra Panda.
Most of the teachers have served since April 2014 on contractual basis. They are appointed on 11-month contract.
Realizing the importance of computer education in school curriculum, States like Gujarat, Punjab and Haryana have regularized posts of these computer teachers, said Mr Panda, adding that it was high time that Odisha Government learnt from these States.
