Assistant teachers of government primary schools on Saturday staged a sit-in at Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka demanding salary and benefits under the 10th grade of the pay scale.
From there, they announced “Kolom Bishorjon (pen-down)” protest to press home three demands, including salary and benefits under the pay scale.
The “Kolom Bishorjon” protest will be held at 3:30pm at Shahbagh. Md Shamsuddin Masud, president of the Bangladesh Government Primary School Assistant Teachers’ Association, announced the programme.
Earlier in the day, under the banner of the “Primary Teachers Demand Implementation Council”, teachers from across the country began gathering at the venue from Friday night to participate in the protest.
Khairun Nahar Lipi, general secretary of Bangladesh Government Primary School Teachers’ Association, told Times of Bangladesh that the ministry had announced salary and benefits for assistant teachers under the 11th grade of the pay scale, but the decision has not been implemented.
“Assistant teachers are still receiving pay under the 13th grade, which has made life difficult. Their social dignity has also come under question. That’s why a peaceful sit-in has been called to press for three demands,” she said.
However, according to sources at the Directorate of Primary Education, the positions of head teachers at government primary schools have already been upgraded from the 11th to the 10th grade. A recommendation has been sent to the ministry to upgrade assistant teachers from the 13th to the 11th grade. The matter has been discussed at the Pay Commission and is currently under process.
While speaking to teachers involved in the movement, it was learned that assistant teachers have long been protesting for an upgrade in their pay grade. In response, the ministry initially proposed placing them in the 12th grade, which they rejected. Following continued protests, the ministry announced an upgrade to the 11th grade.
However, more than two months have passed, and the announcement has yet to be implemented.
According to the teachers, they are now demanding the 10th grade to put pressure on the government to issue the gazette for the 11th grade. They said they will gladly return to classrooms once the 11th grade notification is officially issued.
