Bhubaneswar, April 6: The protesting teachers today continued with their strike before various examination centres, despite a request by the Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) to join duties at the earliest.

"It is unfortunate that the teachers did not respond to our request within 24 hours. Now, we will be forced to take the alternative steps," said CHSE chairperson Basudeb Chhatoi.

"From tomorrow, the officers on special duty (OSDs) of all government, private and autonomous degree colleges and the three new universities - Rama Devi Women's University, Khallikote University and Gangadhar Meher University will join evaluation duties at the nearest valuation zones," Chhatoi said.

The three days of boycott by teachers has severely affected the examination sheet evaluation process, triggering fear and apprehension among students and parents alike.

A source in the council said that only 15 per cent of the teachers joined evaluation duties on the first day, followed by 25 percent on the second day and 35 per cent on the third day (today).

At least 7,000 teachers are required for the first phase of evaluation. But, hardly 1,000 are working, said an official source.

"Whatever is the problem between the government and teachers must be sorted out immediately. The delay in publication of Plus Two results will spoil the future of hundreds of students planning to enrol in engineering, medical and other courses," said Suratna Rath, a parent.

"They may be having their own problems, but we certainly do not expect this blackmail by teachers. They cannot be so selfish and indifferent," said Sabyasachi Jena, a Plus Two student, who is waiting for his results.

The CHSE today reiterated the provisions under the Section 8 of the Odisha Conduct of Examination Act, 1988. It reads: "No person assigned with invigilation or superintendence of any recognised examination at any centre or any other work connected with such examination or evaluation, tabulation or publication of results of such examination shall refuse, save under circumstances beyond his control to perform the work or duties so assigned."

"The Section 7 says that no person assigned with examination or evaluation duty should within a distance of 100 metres of such premises can loiter, distribute material of any kind or indulge in a such activity that may be prejudicial to the conduct of exam," read out Chhatoi from the Act, adding that a non-bailable warrant can be issued against such teachers.

"There is a misconception that the teachers, who are not acquainted with Plus Two courses, will not be able to properly evaluate the answer scripts of Plus Two students. However, this is not the case. The teachers of the degree colleges were evaluating the papers of Plus Two until last year," said Chhatoi.