Protest enters 21st day: Madrasah teachers stage sit-in in front of Press Club halting traffic
The teachers alleged that by not accepting their demand for nationalisation, the government has neglected thousands of Ebtedayee madrasah teachers across the country
Ebtedayee madrasah teachers continued their demonstration in front of the National Press Club for the 21st consecutive day today (2 November), demanding the nationalisation of all independent Ebtedayee madrasahs.
As part of their ongoing programme, the protesters had announced a long march towards the State Guest House Jamuna at 2pm, said Kazi Mokhlesur Rahman, president of the Independent Ebtedayee Madrasah Teachers' Alliance.
Teachers are set to continue their sit-in for at least two more hours on the Press Club Road, completely blocking one side of the road and creating a massive traffic gridlock, continuing as of 3:30pm.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The alliance president Mokhlesur, said the sit-in on the road will last for about two hours.
"We had given an ultimatum for tomorrow, but the teachers are not willing to accept it. They want to hear a decision immediately. The administration has contacted us, and we are heading towards the Secretariat. Until then, the teachers will continue to stay here," he added.
Meanwhile, a delegation of teachers is heading to the Education Ministry for discussions.
At around 2:30pm, the police set up a barricade in front of the Kadam Fountain adjacent to the Press Club. The teachers staged a sit-in, which disrupted traffic along the Topkhana Road.
The teachers alleged that by not accepting their demand for nationalisation, the government has neglected thousands of Ebtedayee madrasah teachers across the country.
They urged the authorities to announce nationalisation immediately so they could return to work.
The protesters have been observing a sit-in with five key demands, including the swift implementation of the government's earlier decision to nationalise all independent Ebtedayee madrasahs, whether government-subsidised or unsubsidised.
Their main demands are:
- Quick implementation of the nationalisation announcement made on 28 January this year.
- Approval of the files of 1,089 institutions sent to the Chief Adviser's Office by the Technical and Madrasah Education Division for MPO (Monthly Pay Order) enlistment.
- Issuance of a notification for MPO applications for recognised unsubsidised Ebtedayee madrasahs.
- Creation of pre-primary teaching posts similar to those in primary schools.
- Establishment of a separate directorate for Ebtedayee madrasahs.
Traffic movement in front of the Press Club remained limited due to the ongoing sit-in.
On 28 January, the Ministry of Education had announced the gradual nationalisation of Ebtedayee madrasahs following an earlier teachers' movement.
However, no institution has been nationalised since then. As nine months have passed without implementation, the teachers resumed their protest.
Earlier on Wednesday (29 October), sound grenades and water cannons were used to disperse the teachers during their attempt to march towards the Secretariat.
