JU teachers' protest against 'Prottoy Scheme' continues, officers join all-out strike

Teachers at Jahangirnagar University (JU) persisted with their all-out strike for the seventh consecutive day, demanding the withdrawal of the 'Prottoy scheme' under the universal pension.

On Sunday, they boycotted all classes, exams, and academic activities, staging a sit-in at the Social Sciences Faculty from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. Additionally, they called for inclusion in the promised super grade and the creation of a separate pay scale for educators.

Meanwhile, officers and employees at Jahangirnagar University joined the strike, demanding exemption from the 'Prottoy scheme'. They staged a sit-in in front of the new administrative building in the morning.

Announcing an indefinite boycott of all academic, official, and administrative work until their demands are met, they have effectively brought all university activities to a halt.

During the teachers' sit-in, Professor Dr Sultana Akter of the History Department highlighted the demand for ending discrimination against teachers, questioning, "What did we ask for? Cars? Money for car expenses?" 

"Financial security is essential for teachers to focus on research and attract future talent to the profession. Without proper facilities and respect, universities risk losing qualified and talented educators, leading to a fall in academic quality," she argued.

JUTA President, Professor Motaher Hossain, said, "We are in a movement, and the government should come forward to resolve this issue. If invited for discussions, we will participate. This programme will continue until our demand is addressed."

Regarding the officers and employees' demands, Abdur Rahman Babul, president of the officers' association and deputy registrar of the university, told this correspondent, "Our demand is singular: to exempt all university teachers, officers, and employees from the new pension scheme. We previously issued a three-day ultimatum. Today, we have started an all-out strike for indefinite period until our demand is met. None of us will participate in official or administrative work until then."

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