Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
Assistant teachers of government primary schools announced that they launched a complete shutdown across the country on Wednesday until further notice to realise their three-point demand.
As part of the move, they have padlocked numerous schools, hampering ongoing annual examinations.
They also held protest rallies in front of Assistant Thana Education Officers offices across the country.
However, in some primary schools in the capital and other divisional cities, examinations are still taking place.
The teachers announced the strike following a call by the Primary Teachers' Demand Implementation Council.
Coordinator of the council Mahbubur Rahman said that the teachers are participating in the shutdown spontaneously.
He claimed that all schools in the country are closed.
He said that their programme will continue until our demands are realised.
According to the Directorate of Primary Education, there are currently 65,569 government primary schools nationwide, employing over 384,000 teachers, the majority of whom are assistant teachers.
The assistant teachers' demands include salary adjustments to Grade 10, resolution of grade issues after 10 and 16 years of service, and 100 per cent departmental promotion.
While head teachers in primary schools promoted to Grade 10, assistant teachers are currently receiving salaries and benefits under Grade 13.
Currently, assistant teachers, who have long been campaigning for grade promotions, demand immediate implementation of Grade 11, assured previously by the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education.
Meanwhile, the assistant teachers of government secondary schools have suspended their work stoppage to serve students' interest, according to an announcement by Bangladesh Government Secondary Assistant Teachers' Association on Tuesday night.
Assistant teachers participated in annual examination activities at government secondary schools on Wednesday, after a decision was made to conduct them.
Acknowledging the mental pressure faced by students and parents due to uncertainty over the exams, the association said that the decision has been made-out of a sense of responsibility-to return to academic duties.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com