Teachers from non-MPO educational institutions have given a seven-day ultimatum demanding immediate inclusion of all operational and recognised non-MPO schools, colleges and madrasas under the MPO system.
They warned that they will announce further programmes after one week if their demand is not met. They also indicated plans for a “do or die” movement, including an intensified nationwide agitation after Eid, if necessary.
They made the announcement on Monday at a rally in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka, organised by the platform “Sommilito Non-MPO Oikya Parishad”.
The organisation’s coordinating member Monimul Haque told TIMES of Bangladesh that around 6,000 non-MPO institutions exist across the country, including schools, colleges and madrasas.
He said “About 3,000 of them remain operational and the teachers expect the government to prioritise these active institutions for MPO coverage.”
Monimul explained that operational institutions refer to those where regular classes and examinations continue.
Another coordinator, Sazzad Hossain, demanded swift MPO approval for applications submitted under the Secondary and Higher Education Division.
He also called for immediate resumption of suspended application processing under the Technical and Madrasah Education Division.
Md Abdur Salam of K.H. Tikor College, Rajshahi, said “Previous government had prepared an MPO list through a software-based verification process after receiving applications following long movements. He urged authorities to publish that list.”
Teacher Md Sharafat Hossain from Kotchandpur Municipal Women’s College in Jhenaidah said he has been teaching for 11 years without salary. He said he supports his family by giving private tuition in English and Mathematics. He described his situation as financially unstable and distressing, and said MPO approval would ease his hardship.
At the rally, central coordinator Selim Mia said “Around 3,500 MPO applications were initially reviewed, and 1,720 were finalised after verification. The government later suspended the process instead of issuing a gazette notification.”
He demanded immediate continuation of MPO inclusion for all recognised institutions, warning of a “do or die” programme if the demand is ignored.
Other speakers included Chief Coordinator Md Dabilur Islam, Chief Coordinator Nazmus Shahadat Azadi, and Coordinating Member Principal Monimul Haque, among others.
