Assistant teachers at government primary schools across the country began an indefinite work abstention on Sunday, demanding implementation of a three-point charter of demands that includes upgrading their pay scale to the 10th grade.
The Primary Teachers' Demand Implementation Council called the nationwide strike, disrupting classes for nearly 10 million students in more than 65,500 schools. Although many students attended schools in the morning, teachers refrained from taking classes, forcing children to return home without lessons.
The teachers are also demanding the resignations of the advisers for home affairs and primary and mass education, protesting Saturday's police action against them at Shahbagh, where law enforcers used sound grenades, tear gas, and batons to disperse demonstrators.
In a statement issued on Sunday, council leader Mohammad Shamsuddin said the teachers would continue their movement until their demands are met.
"The brutal attack on teachers has outraged our community. Many were injured-some with bullet splinters-and are now hospitalised. Several have been detained. Teachers across the country are observing a total strike, which will continue until a fair solution is reached," he said.
He added that the teachers will continue their sit-in at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka, warning that they might even lock schools if the government fails to act.
Around noon, hundreds of teachers were seen gathered at the Shaheed Minar, sitting and standing in groups as part of their protest. At 3:45pm, they took an oath holding white shrouds, vowing not to return home until their demands are fulfilled, particularly the implementation of the 10th-grade pay scale and 100 per cent promotion opportunities.
Teacher leader Anisur Rahman Anis said, "With the same qualifications, employees of other government institutions receive the 10th-grade pay scale, while we remain stuck at the 13th. Even university graduates among us earn less than day labourers. When it comes to teachers' salaries, the government cites a lack of funds, yet corruption worth hundreds of crores continues unchecked."
Primary and Mass Education Affairs Adviser Prof Dr Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar said that head teachers of primary schools were recently promoted to the 10th grade after years of legal and administrative processes.
"As a result, it is currently not possible to upgrade assistant teachers from the 13th to the 10th grade," he said. "We are working to ensure they get the 11th grade. At this stage, it is not reasonable for them to go on a movement."
Director General of the Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) Abu Noor Md Shamsuzzaman said the DPE has already recommended the 11th-grade pay scale for assistant teachers. "If the finance ministry approves, they will get it. Beyond that, there is nothing more we can do," he added.
The protesting teachers' three demands include upgrading their pay scale to the 10th grade; resolving higher-grade entitlements after 10 and 16 years of service; and ensuring 100 per cent departmental promotion.
On Saturday, police dispersed a teachers' procession at Shahbagh using water cannons, tear gas, and sound grenades, leaving over a hundred teachers injured. Following the incident, the protest leaders announced an indefinite sit-in and the ongoing work stoppage.
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