Teachers continue sit-in for 5th day, warn of 'March to Jamuna' if demands unmet

Teachers and employees of MPO-listed educational institutions have continued their sit-in protest for the fifth consecutive day, pressing home their three-point demand, including a 20% house rent allowance (minimum Tk3,000).

The protesters began their sit-in this morning (16 October) at the Central Shaheed Minar, vowing to continue until their demands are met.

The three-point demand also includes increasing the medical allowance to Tk1,500 for both teachers and staff, and raising the festival allowance for employees to 75%.

Teachers said that government secretaries were holding a meeting with representatives of the agitating teachers at the Secretariat to discuss the issue.

"If our demands are not accepted in the meeting, we will launch a one-point movement and march towards Jamuna" said one of the protesting teachers.

The one-point demand is: "Nationalisation of private educational institutions."

The protest began on Sunday (12 October) in front of the National Press Club, joined by hundreds of teachers and employees from across the country. However, police dispersed the demonstrators using batons, sound grenades, and water cannons, forcing them to move to the Central Shaheed Minar-Shahbagh area, where they have continued their demonstration since Monday.

Teachers said they would not end their sit-in until the government gives a clear commitment to fulfill their demands.