Teachers across the country have announced an indefinite work abstention from Monday (October 13), demanding a 20 percent increase in house rent allowance and protesting the police attack on teachers in front of the National Press Club.
The announcement came on Sunday (October 12) during a rally held at the Central Shaheed Minar. The Member Secretary of the MPO-Listed Education Nationalization Alliance, Principal Delwar Hossain Azizi, made the declaration, saying,
“A shameful attack was carried out on teachers in front of the Press Club. In protest, and to press for our rightful demands, all MPO-listed institutions will observe a full-day work abstention starting tomorrow.”
Earlier in the afternoon, police used sound grenades, water cannons, and batons to disperse demonstrating teachers in front of the Press Club, leaving several injured. Following the incident, one group of teachers took position at the Shaheed Minar, while another continued their sit-in near the Press Club.
Teacher leaders stated that they will not return to classrooms until the 20 percent house rent allowance is officially approved through a government notification.
Meanwhile, during a meeting at the Ministry of Finance on Sunday at 11:20 a.m., it was reportedly assured that the teachers’ demand for increased house rent allowance would be addressed by October 22. However, the identity of the officials who took part in the meeting could not be confirmed.
As of now, with no resolution in sight, classroom activities in many private educational institutions across the country remain virtually suspended due to the ongoing teacher movement.