MPO teachers to march to Jamuna today

Teachers and staff of MPO-listed private educational institutions have announced a fresh programme to march to the State Guest House Jamuna in the capital today if their demands for increased house rent, medical, and festival allowances are not met.

Speaking to journalists, Delwar Hossain Azizi, member secretary of the alliance, announced the next phase of their movement -- a "Long March to Jamuna" to be held on Thursday, starting from the Central Shaheed Minar at noon.

He further warned that if their demands are ignored, classes and examinations, including the Dakhil examination scheduled to begin on Thursday, would not be held.

On Wednesday, the demonstrators, under the banner of the Alliance for Nationalisation of MPO-listed Education, withdrew their blockade at Shahbagh around 4:45pm and began marching back toward the Central Shaheed Minar, allowing traffic movement to gradually return to normal.

Police had earlier set up barricades near the Shahbagh Police Station to prevent them from advancing, but the protesters broke through and occupied the intersection, chanting slogans in favour of their demands.

Traffic movement in and around Shahbagh came to a standstill during the blockade, causing severe gridlocks in nearby areas. Many commuters were seen walking to their destinations as vehicles remained stranded for hours.

The teachers and staff have placed three demands -- a 20 per cent house rent allowance based on basic salary, a Tk 1,500 medical allowance, and a 75 per cent festival bonus for employees.

Currently, MPO-listed primary-level teachers receive a monthly salary of Tk 12,500, a house rent allowance of Tk 1,000, a medical allowance of Tk 500, and a festival bonus equivalent to 50 per cent of their basic pay. The Ministry of Finance recently increased the house rent allowance by Tk 500, which the protesters rejected, terming it a "mockery".

Around 4:00pm, Gonosanghati Andolon Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki and AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju arrived at Shahbagh, saying they had come on behalf of the Ministry of Education to discuss the issue. However, many demonstrators shouted slogans labelling them "fake" and "agents", refusing to engage in talks.

The two leaders later told reporters that since the teachers were unwilling to negotiate, they would convey the protesters' demands directly to the ministry.

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