Govt school teachers call indefinite strike, exams halted

The government secondary school teachers' association on Monday announced a country-wide strike for an indefinite period to press home several demands.

Annual examinations have been halted as a result and several institutions in the capital issued notices on Sunday stating they will not hold Monday's examinations.

Upon contact, the FE found Monday's exams were halted at the capital's Dhaka Collegiate School, Government Laboratory High School and Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Government Boys' High School.

The teachers' demands include inclusion of the Assistant Teacher post within BCS (General Education) Cadre; restoration of the enhanced salary benefits - including two to three increments for assistant teachers; and recruitment and promotion of the teachers.

If the ministry provides a clear commitment to fulfilling the demands with a specific outline, the strike will be discontinued in the interest of students and the nation, said Mohammad Omar Faruq, coordinator of the central coordination committee of Bangladesh Government Secondary Teachers Association.

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com