Advisers prioritising personal gain, now standing against education: NCP's Samantha
'Yet now we hear that the advisers are spending Tk300 crore to buy cars for ministries, but whenever the demand for an increase in teachers' salaries and allowances is raised, we are told that the government does not have money', she says
National Citizens Party (NCP) Senior Joint Convener Samantha Sharmin has said the advisers of the interim government are prioritising personal gain over national interest and standing against education.
"Every adviser of the interim government has taken care of their own interests. Not only that, this government has now positioned itself against the people of the country — especially against the education system," she said.
The NCP leader made these remarks today (12 October) while expressing solidarity with the sit-in programme of MPO-listed teachers at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka.
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She said, the students, teachers, doctors, and professionals of this country established this interim government through their sacrifice and struggle.
"Yet now we hear that the advisers are spending Tk300 crore to buy cars for ministries, but whenever the demand for an increase in teachers' salaries and allowances is raised, we are told that the government does not have money," she added.
Expressing disappointment, Samantha said, they had high hopes for this interim government, but it has now "turned against" the people. It has "stood against education."
Criticising the government's failure to form an education commission, she said, after the quota reform movement and the uprising, we expected that a national education commission would be established.
"Sheikh Hasina had pushed the education system to the brink of destruction, and such a commission was essential to reverse that damage. But instead, the entire country has pushed towards an election," she added.
Destroying the education system is no less disastrous than committing a massacre with bullets and gunfire, she noted, adding, the main reason behind the destruction of educational system is the teachers are neglected — from training to pay and allowances.
"If teachers have to plead for even a 20% housing allowance, it shows how little sincerity the interim government has toward improving education."
Samantha also criticised the education adviser, saying, "We thought he would understand the teachers' problems since he himself is a teacher. But after the Milestone tragedy, his behaviour has shocked us."
There are allegations that the education adviser hardly meets anyone, she said, noting that advisers of a government born out of a mass uprising should remain accessible to the people.
"But they seem to consider themselves above everyone else — perhaps that's why they cannot value grassroots teachers."
Reaffirming her party's support for teachers, she said, "Let alone nationalisation — the government cannot even raise the house rent allowance by 20% or the medical allowance by Tk500! Teachers who came to Dhaka to demand their rights were beaten and hospitalised. This will not be tolerated."
The NCP stands with teachers — we stood with you, we are with you, and we will remain with you. Stay firm on your demands; the government must fulfil them, she added.
