Primary teachers' association to hold peaceful assemblies, submit memoranda in all districts on 9 July over 10-point demands
Association warns of massive rally in Dhaka on 6 September and announcement of subsequent programmes if demands are not met
Highlights:
- Primary teachers to hold peaceful assemblies in all districts on 9 July
- They will submit memoranda to deputy commissioners regarding 10-point demands
- Association warns of massive Dhaka rally on 6 September if demands unmet
- Demands include grade upgrades, promotion resolutions, and a primary cadre
- They also seek non-vocational status and policy-making representation
Assistant and head teachers of government primary schools will hold simultaneous peaceful assemblies in every district town across the country on the afternoon of 9 July to press for their 10-point demands and will submit memoranda to the deputy commissioners.
The organisation's Central Executive President, Zahidul Rahman Biswas, announced this programme at a press conference held at the Sagar-Runi Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity today (31 May).
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Association's General Secretary Md Anwar Hossain Bhuiyan, said, "The government does not have a major financial involvement in implementing our demands, but these steps are urgent to improve the quality of education and enhance teachers' dignity."
The 10-point demands include upgrading assistant teachers to 10th grade and head teachers to 9th grade, resolving complications regarding promotion to higher grades after completing ten years of service, and introducing a primary education cadre.
It also includes providing a timescale to promoted head teachers and ensuring a timescale for the period from 9 March 2014 to 14 October 2015, as well as arranging permanent promotions for head teachers currently serving in an acting capacity.
The demands include treating assistant teacher positions as 100% entry-level posts, providing unconditional promotion opportunities up to the highest positions in the administrative structure, and ensuring representation of teacher organisations in policy-making decisions related to primary education.
It includes declaring primary teachers as "non-vocational", providing benefits similar to other government employees, and expanding education programs up to 8th grade in all government primary schools.
The other demands include maintaining weekly holidays on Friday and Saturday, setting a maximum of four periods per day for teachers, and activating the Government Primary School Teachers' Welfare Trust Board by including teacher representatives.
