The indefinite work abstention of government primary school assistant teachers has been temporarily suspended following a government assurance. Although the teachers had launched their protest demanding the implementation of three key points, including upgradation to the 10th grade pay scale, they decided to return to classrooms after receiving a positive response from the authorities. However, their sit-in demonstration at the Central Shaheed Minar will continue as planned, said Mohammad Shamsuddin Masud, central convener of the Primary Assistant Teachers Unity Council.
Following a meeting held at the Secretariat on Sunday night with government representatives, Masud informed the media that detailed discussions took place at the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, chaired by Secretary Abu Taher Md. Masud Rana. The teachers presented three major demands — upgrading their pay scale from grade 13 to grade 10, resolving complexities regarding higher grade entitlements after 10 and 16 years of service, and ensuring 100% departmental promotion from assistant teacher to head teacher. Ministry officials assured the leaders that the Ministry of Finance would be informed immediately and that steps would be taken to resolve the issues promptly.
Earlier on Saturday afternoon, a “Pen Surrender” program at Shahbagh turned violent when police used sound grenades, tear gas, and rubber bullets, leaving several teachers injured. In protest, the teachers began a sit-in at the Central Shaheed Minar and announced a nationwide full-day work abstention for Sunday. As a result, classes were suspended in nearly 65,000 government primary schools, with about 384,000 teachers refraining from teaching.
According to the Directorate of Primary Education, there are 65,567 government primary schools across the country. The ongoing movement began after the government upgraded the salary of head teachers from grade 11 to grade 10 and moved grade 13 teachers to grade 12 last April. Assistant teachers, however, alleged discrimination in the process and launched the protest demanding parity.
Although the work abstention has now been suspended, the teachers stated that they will continue their peaceful demonstrations until the government provides a written assurance to fulfill their demands.