Members of the Samagra Shiksha Contract and Outsourcing Employees Federation on Friday (May 15, 2026) staged a protest demanding that the government address their long-pending issues.

The federation members said that nearly 60% of the workforce in government schools, including teachers, ayahs, hostel staff, sweepers, gardeners, watchmen and other supporting staff, were serving on contract, outsourcing or honorary basis. They alleged that despite rendering services for several years, many employees continued to face job insecurity and were paid low wages.

The protesting employees demanded regularisation of their services and merger of Samagra Shiksha employees into the Education Department, implementation of HR policy, implementation of ‘equal pay for equal work on the lines of the Supreme Court verdict, salary revision and grant of service benefits including provident fund, ESI and pensions, increase in the retirement age to 62 years and measures to ensure job security.

The federation leaders warned that if the government failed to respond positively to their demands, they would intensify their agitation. They said employees across districts should unite and participate in future protest programmes.