On Teachers’ Day, Odisha CM Majhi tells students: Stay off social media, focus on careers

On Teachers' Day, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi addressed a gathering of students at a local school, imploring them to prioritize their education and career prospects. Majhi emphasized that the primary duty of students is to excel academically, develop skills, and contribute to their own and the nation's growth. He cautioned students to avoid distractions from social media and other activities that could hinder their career-building efforts.

The chief minister's remarks came amid widespread student protests across India demanding significant education reforms, improved infrastructure, and accountability from authorities. Majhi sought to resonate with the youth, highlighting that education is not just about knowledge acquisition but also about shaping individuals.

Majhi underscored the need for a more amicable relationship between students and teachers. He announced his government's 'KG to PG free education' scheme, claiming that Odisha could pioneer such an initiative. The chief minister also discussed other government projects aimed at enhancing school infrastructure and ensuring quality education in the state.

Addressing the issue of a significant number of vacant teaching positions, Majhi assured that his administration plans to fill 45,000 teacher vacancies in the near future. However, teachers in Odisha continued their 21-day protest at Mahatma Gandhi Marg in the state capital, demanding various improvements, including Grant-in-Aid, better service conditions, a higher retirement age, rectification of anomalies in the grade pay system, and inclusion under the 7th Pay Commission scale.

Despite the teachers' ongoing protest, the Odisha government canceled the Mukhyamantri Sikshya Puraskar (CM’s education award) ceremony on Teachers' Day, without providing any explanation.