In response to a violent crackdown on their peaceful protest, teachers from private MPO-affiliated educational institutions across Bangladesh have moved their indefinite strike forward by one day, now set to begin Monday, October 13, instead of Tuesday as originally planned.
The decision was announced by the Alliance Seeking Nationalisation of MPO-Affiliated Education during a sit-in at the Central Shaheed Minar on Sunday afternoon, October12.
The alliance’s member secretary, Principal Delwar Hossain Azizi, confirmed the revised strike date around 4:30 pm, citing police use of sound grenades, water cannons, and baton charges against demonstrators in front of the National Press Club earlier that day, as well as the detention of several teachers.
The strike is part of an ongoing campaign demanding that the government grant a house rent allowance (HRA) equivalent to 20% of basic salary—a longstanding request from private school teachers employed under the government’s MPO (Monthly Pay Order) scheme.
MPO scheme is a government subsidy system that provides financial support to teachers and staff of non-government educational institutions—like schools, colleges, and madrasas. This system was implemented because many private institutions struggle to cover operating costs, and the MPO helps ensure a regular income for educators by providing a government-subsidised salary, covering a portion of their pay.
Earlier on Sunday, during their sit-in at the Press Club, the teachers had issued a final ultimatum: implement the 20% HRA by Monday, 13 October, or face nationwide class boycotts starting Tuesday, 14 October. However, the aggressive police response prompted the alliance to escalate action immediately.
“All private MPO-affiliated institutions will remain shut from tomorrow,” Azizi declared. “We are not just fighting for fair housing support—we are defending our right to protest without fear of violence.”
The move is expected to disrupt academic activities in thousands of schools nationwide, as teachers stand firm in their dual demand: fair compensation and accountability for the alleged assault on educators.