Bhubaneswar: The siksha sahayaks (para-teachers) have threatened to launch a protest against the central government till the demands requiring the Centre's approval are not accorded.

After discussion with the para-teachers, the state government on Monday decided to abolish the post of siksha sahayak and re-appoint them as junior teachers. They will be appointed on contractual basis for the first three years.

The state government would fund 40 per cent of the hike demanded by members of the para-teachers' association, while the rest has to be met by the Centre.

"The state has agreed to increase salary by 25 per cent according to the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission. The state government should provide 40 per cent and the Centre 60 per cent. Even after repeated letters from the state government, the Centre is yet to give its approval," said Malay Jena, a leader.

School and mass education minister Badri Narayan Patra said: "The teachers will be highly benefited if the Centre approves it at the earliest."

In another development, 145 students of arts stream were caught for malpractice during the political science paper in the ongoing annual Plus Two examinations.

Prabodh Kumar Panda, deputy exam controller of the Council of Higher Secondary Education, said: "The squads, formed by the council to prevent malpractice, conducted raids on exam halls in the Bhubaneswar, Berhampur and Baripada zones and caught the students. The students, who were booked for malpractice, included both regular and ex-regular candidates of the arts stream."

The number of students caught cheating was the highest since the annual examination began from March 6.

As many as 2,33,978 students in the arts stream are taking the exam this year. Besides, 96,175 science students and 27,447 commerce students are writing the exams in 1,104 centres across the state. The examination will continue till March 29.