Non-govt primary teachers protest for nationalisation
Over 1,000 teachers are taking part in the programme and have announced they will continue their sit-in until their demands are met
The Bangladesh Non-Government Primary Teachers' Association, on Wednesday, started a sit-in in front of the National Press Club, demanding the nationalisation of all private primary schools in the country.
Over 1,000 teachers of different private primary educational institutions are taking part in the programme.
The protesting teachers have announced that they will continue the sit-in until their demand is met.
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Badrul Amin Sarkar Farhad, convener of the Non-Government Primary Teachers' Association, said over 4,000 schools have yet to be nationalised. About 20,000 teachers are working at these schools, he added.
"We have been teaching students without getting our salaries for many years. We cannot stand it anymore," he added.
"The teachers are living a miserable life during this novel coronavirus situation. Let our demands be accepted in Mujib Year. We will not leave here until our demands are met," he continued.
Matiur Rahman, joint convener of the Bangladesh Private Primary Teachers' Association (Grand Alliance), mentioned that a circular issued by the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education on 30 January, 2013 stated that primary schools that filed applications before 27 May, 2012 would be nationalised. As per the notification, 26,193 primary schools were nationalised, he added.
"The government then sought information from over 4,000 private primary schools eligible for nationalisation – apart from the 960 institutions which were to be nationalised in the third phase after fulfilling the conditions of the circular. But those 4,000 plus primary schools have yet to be nationalised," he added.
Md Faridul Islam, joint convener of the teachers' body said, "According to the prime minister's announcement, schools that had applied properly before 27 June, 2012 were to be nationalised. We say it with regret that even after nine years, none of the institutions have been nationalised."
According to the association, 10 teachers have lost their lives on several occasions of their movement demanding nationalisation.
Matiur Rahman of the grand alliance said, "We are doing everything necessary to run a school. Why would we not be nationalised even after this?"
He demanded that the authorities concerned inspect their institutions and take necessary measures to nationalise all the deserving schools.
