Press club hotspot as teachers' platforms demonstrate demanding MPO inclusion, nationalisation, reforms
Teachers representing four different groups from across the country are staging continuous demonstrations in front of the Jatiyo Press Club in Dhaka, pressing various demands including MPO (Monthly Pay Order) inclusion, nationalisation, and policy reforms.
The protests, which began earlier this week, have drawn participants from recognised non-MPO educational institutions, schools for children with autism and disabilities, independent Ebtedayee madrasah, and groups advocating for the appointment of religious teachers in primary schools.
Leaders from each group have warned of indefinite programmes if their demands are not met soon.
Mohammad Mobarak Hossain, convener of the Sommilito Non-MPO Oikya Parishad (Combined Non-MPO Unity Council), said there are over two thousand educational institutions nationwide that have fulfilled all government criteria.
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"We are conducting board exams under our own institutions and producing excellent results for the nation. But it is very unfortunate that the government is showing no concern for us. We have been given assurances before, but nothing has been implemented," he said.
Their main demand is to bring all non-MPO educational institutions under the MPO scheme.
Ebtedayee teachers lift blockade
Meanwhile, teachers of independent Ebtedayee madrasahs have lifted their blockade from the road in front of the Jatiya Press Club this evening.
Kazi Mokhlesur Rahman, chairman of the Independent Ebtedayee Madrasa Teachers Unity Council, said, "We have withdrawn today's road blockade programme at the request of Masud Alam, deputy commissioner of police for Ramna Division."
He added, "We had a fruitful discussion with the secretary of the Technical and Madrasa Education Division at the Secretariat. He assured us that files for the MPO enlistment of 1,089 institutions will be signed by the chief adviser tomorrow."
As the next step in their movement, the teachers plan to hold a protest march at 12pm tomorrow. "Our sit-in programme will continue until the official circular is issued," Mokhlesur said.
Teachers of schools for children with autism and disabilities continued their sit-in for the eighth consecutive day.
Md Ilias Raj, president of the central committee of the Bangladesh Protibondhi Biddaloy Shomonnoy Parishad (Bangladesh Coordinating Council of Schools for Persons with Disabilities), said the movement will continue until their demands, including MPO inclusion, are fulfilled.
At 3 pm Sunday, a seven-member delegation from the group went to the Secretariat for discussions.
Their five key demands are immediate recognition and MPO inclusion of all special (autistic and disability) schools; ensuring disability-friendly infrastructure in all special schools; setting the monthly education stipend for special students at Tk3,000, and introducing mid-day meals, educational materials, sports equipment, and therapy centres; ensuring employment and rehabilitation opportunities for special students through vocational education programmes; and enforcing the reserved quota for persons with disabilities in employment opportunities.
Under the banner of the Independent Ebtedayee Madrasah Teachers' Alliance, madrasa teachers have also joined the movement with five major demands. These include immediate implementation of the nationalisation announcement made on 28 January this year; prompt approval of 1,089 institutional files sent by the Technical and Madrasa Education Division to the Chief Adviser's Office for MPO inclusion; issuance of a notification for MPO applications for recognised unsubsidised Ebtedayee madrasahs; creation of pre-primary teaching positions similar to those in primary schools; and establishment of a separate directorate for Ebtedayee madrasas.
These multiple protests and simultaneous road blockades in front of the Jatiyo Press Club and adjoining areas of the capital since morning caused severe traffic congestion on several key routes, leaving officegoers and commuters stranded for hours and bringing parts of Dhaka to a standstill.
As a result, traffic movement slowed to a crawl in major areas such as Shahbagh, Press Club, Paltan, and Motijheel. Commuters and officegoers faced extreme difficulties amid the prolonged gridlock.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said it has been making continuous efforts to keep traffic moving under the challenging circumstances.
In a press release, the DMP expressed deep regret for the unexpected congestion and the suffering caused to the public.
"Temporary traffic jams have occurred in some parts of the city due to ongoing protest activities. Our traffic police are working tirelessly to restore normalcy, and we seek the cooperation of the public in this regard," the release added.
Additionally, during a human chain programme under the banner of the Jatiyo Mullobodh Shongrokkhon Parishad (National Values Preservation Council), protesters have demanded the appointment of religious teachers in all primary schools across the country and the cancellation of all decisions that go against religious values.
Teachers from all four groups said they are determined to continue their protests until their respective demands are addressed.
At the same time, unemployed graduates, who are persons with disabilities, and non-cadre candidates from the 43rd BCS blocked adjacent roads demanding government jobs.
