Bhubaneswar, Sept. 12: After 42 days of closure, classes resumed in all the block grant schools of the state, except those in the 14 flood-affected districts.

While teachers in the state’s flood-ravaged regions joined the ongoing relief and rescue work, those in other parts, including Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, took classes as usual.

About 25,000 teaching and non-teaching staff belonging to 1,983 block grant schools had been on strike protesting against the government’s “apathy” towards them. Following assurances from the government and considering the worsening flood conditions, however, they decided to reopen the schools from today.

“Most schools in the state’s flood-ravaged regions, which have earlier been used as cyclone relief shelters, are now being used as flood relief centres. Teachers have begun rescue operations at these places. The work includes packing and distribution of food. It also includes helping the flood-affected people in rehabilitation,” said Prashant Mohapatra, president of the Orissa Block Grant Secondary School Teachers and Employees Association.

“Classes began as usual in all other block grant schools and continued from 10am to 4pm. We also plan to conduct extra classes to cover up the loss of study hours. Our students have lost 42 days of teaching. We will cover it up with additional two hours of classes everyday,” said Mohapatra. The teachers have decided to start classes from 8am from tomorrow. We will also conduct classes from 7am to 11am on Sundays,” he said.

The block grant school employees ended their strike yesterday following discussions with school and mass education minister Pratap Jena here. The strike was called off after the minister assured the agitators that steps would soon be taken to solve their issues.

The association, however, warned to resume ceasework if the government failed to fulfil their demands within seven days. The employees have been demanding abolition of the block grant system and introduction of grant-in-aid system for all schools.