Teachers call indefinite strike after police action
Earlier in the day, police lobbed tear gas, sound grenades, and used water cannons to disperse teachers who were staging a sit-in in front of the National Press Club.
Teachers of MPO-enlisted educational institutions have announced a work abstention programme from tomorrow (13 October), protesting the attack on demonstrating teachers in front of the National Press Club and demanding a 20% house rent allowance on their basic salary.
The announcement was made by Delwar Hossain Azizi, member secretary of the Alliance for Nationalisation of Education, at the Central Shaheed Minar this evening.
According to the announcement, teachers and staff of all MPO-listed non-government educational institutions nationwide will observe a full-day work abstention from tomorrow for an indefinite period.
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Earlier in the day, police lobbed tear gas, sound grenades, and used water cannons to disperse teachers who were staging a sit-in in front of the National Press Club, demanding the immediate gazette notification of promised allowance increases.
The protesters demanded the immediate gazette notification of three benefits – 20% house rent, a Tk1,500 medical allowance, and a 75% festival bonus for employees – all of which they claim were promised by Education Adviser CR Abrar.
They also supported Non-Government Teachers' Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) candidates, who were dropped during the viva voce of the 18th NTRCA exam, demanding a review of results and prompt issuance of registration certificates.
After police action around 1:40pm, teachers were reportedly beaten while being removed from the road. The protesters then retreated to the Shaheed Minar, where they continued their sit-in, allowing traffic to return to normal after several hours of disruption.
Meanwhile, candidates dropped during the viva stage of the 18th NTRCA exam blocked Shahbagh intersection in Dhaka this morning, demanding a review of viva results and immediate issuance of registration certificates.
Police later dispersed them, after which they gathered in front of the National Museum.
Voices from the protest
Md Makshed Ali, superintendent of Bhaudanga Mostafa Biya Dakhil Madrasa in Pabna Sadar, said, "We were peacefully demonstrating when police suddenly attacked us. This unprovoked action against innocent teachers is deeply unfortunate."
An assistant teacher from Madhukhali upazila in Faridpur added, "We don't want a lump sum house rent increase. Teachers and employees at MPO-affiliated institutions received only a Tk500 rise from Tk1,000 to Tk1,500 – which is insulting. We have long been demanding that house rent be fixed at 20% of the basic salary. Similarly, our festival allowance remains only 50% of the basic, which is discriminatory. We will continue our sit-in until the government addresses these injustices."
"The government is mocking us," said Masud Parvez, a lecturer of Bangla at Nayachar Islamia Fazil Madrasa in Kurigram's Rajibpur. "We will not return home until the nationalisation demand is met."
Teachers' delegation visit Secretariat
Earlier in the day, a 13-member delegation of teachers visited the Secretariat to discuss demands with the finance adviser and secretary. The delegation included Principal Main Uddin, convener of alliance, Principal Delwar Hossain Azizi, and several other senior members.
The ongoing sit-in follows an ultimatum issued on 13 August, demanding the nationalisation of MPO-listed institutions and increased benefits.
Delwar Hossain Azizi earlier said their delegation met Adviser CR Abrar, who agreed in principle to raise house rent to 20% (with a minimum of Tk2,000) and medical allowance from Tk500 to Tk1,000. However, the ministry cited budget constraints and said implementation would be gradual.
The teachers, who have been protesting since 2011 for these benefits, are now urging the interim government to turn verbal assurances into official gazettes. They warned in August that if their demands were not met, they would continue occupying the Press Club area indefinitely.
Meanwhile, Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser of the National Citizen Party (South), addressed protesting teachers at the Central Shaheed Minar today, accusing the interim government of "hypocrisy" and urging them to continue their demonstrations until their demands are met.
"Dear teachers, do not leave the streets until this hypocritical caretaker government approves your demands for house rent and medical allowances," he said. "This is not a favour from the state; it is your rightful due."
