Assistant teachers of government primary schools have launched a fresh programme to press home their three-point demand, including salary upgrades to the 10 grade pay scale.
They began a non-stop sit-in at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka around 9:00am on Saturday, November 8, and announced to continue their movement if their demands are not met.
Four organisations – Bangladesh Primary Teachers' Association (Kashem-Shahin), Bangladesh Primary School Assistant Teachers' Association, Bangladesh Primary Teachers' Association (Shahin-Lipi) and Assistant Teachers' 10th Grade Implementation Council – are taking part in the movement under the banner of Primary Teachers' Demand Implementation Council.
Assistant teachers of Dhaka and Chattogram divisions appointed in the third phase have also announced to join them.
Khairun Nahar Lipi, general secretary of Bangladesh Primary Teachers' Association (Shahin-Lipi), said several thousands of teachers gathered at the Shaheed Minar and many others are on the way to attend the programme.
Vowing to continue the movement until their demands are fulfilled, she said, "Even if officials want to discuss with us, we will no longer sit with them. We have discussed with them on several occasions but to no avail. Now, we will press home our demands on the streets."
The three demands are increasing salary at the 10th Grade; resolving the complications around obtaining higher pay grades after the completion of 10 and 16 years in job; and guaranting 100 per cent departmental promotion.
Earlier on November 1, another portion of primary assistant teachers under the banner of Primary Assistant Teachers Organization Oikya Parishad threatened nationwide work stoppage and sit-in programmes if the long-standing disputes over pay grades and promotions are not resolved by November 15.
At a press conference, they had said that they will observe a half-day work abstention from November 23 to 24; full day strike from November 25 to 26; and sit-in in front of the Primary Education Directorate on November 27 if their three point-demand is not met by November 15.
Besides, they also announced to boycott all exams, and fast-unto-death from December 11 to press home their demands.
Their three demands are giving entry-level salary at Grade 11 instead of the current Grade 13; resolving the complications around obtaining higher pay grades after the completion of 10 and 16 years in job; and faster promotions, including 100 per cent promotion of assistant teachers to the head teacher posts.
AAH/MSU