Primary teachers' grand rally underway at Shaheed Minar

A grand rally called by the assistant teachers at government primary schools is underway at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka on Saturday, August 30, with a three-point demand, including salary upgrades to the 11th grade.

The rally began at about 10:00am with the participation of a large number of teachers from across the country.

The Assistant Teachers' Organisation Unity Council, an alliance of six separate organisations of primary school teachers, organised the programme.

Representatives from various political parties, including BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party (NCP), Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP), are expected to take part in the rally.

The teachers' demands are paying their entry-level salary at the 11th grade; resolving the complications around obtaining higher pay grades after the completion of 10 and 16 years in job; and 100 per cent promotion of assistant teachers to the head teacher posts.

Shamsuddin Masud, one of the leaders of the unity council, told Jago News, "We will announce stricter programme from the rally if specific promises don't come from the government within today."

Also Read: Govt primary teachers suspend strike

Assistant teachers at government primary schools had started observing full-day work stoppage from May 26 this year to press home their three-point demand.

On May 29, they suspended their nationwide strike after assurance from the government and returned to the classes on June 1.

Earlier, they observed a one-hour work abstention from May 5 to 15 and half-day work stoppage from May 21 to 25 over the same demands.

The assistant teachers took to the streets again as their demands have not been met even after three months of assurances.

AAH/MSU