Teachers at government secondary schools in Chattogram city are continuing an indefinite work stoppage over their four-point demand. The move prevented the scheduled annual examinations from beginning on time.
Teachers said that although notices had been issued earlier, many students and parents were still unaware of the suspension.
The work stoppage is part of a nationwide programme announced by government secondary school teachers.
On Tuesday morning, students were seen returning home from several schools in the port city after arriving to sit for the exam.
Senior teacher Absar of Dr Khastagir Government Girls’ High School told TIMES of Bangladesh that teachers at government schools have been observing the work stoppage to push for their four-point demand.
“Although our movement has been underway for several days, we began the full work stoppage from 1 December. The annual exams have been postponed because of it,” he said.
He added that, considering the students’ situation, teachers are planning to hold exams on Fridays and Saturdays. “If our demands are met, we will return to the classrooms,” he said.
Of the 10 government secondary schools in Chattogram city, annual examinations have been suspended at nine, except at Chattogram Government Model School and College.
Authorities said a revised examination schedule will be announced later.
The programme is being carried out under the banner of the Bangladesh Government Secondary Teachers’ Association. The association claims that while assistant teachers have remained in the 10th grade since 1977, officials in equivalent positions in other government sectors have been elevated to the 9th grade – leaving them deprived for decades.
Their four-point demand includes incorporating the post of assistant teacher into the BCS (General Education) cadre and publishing the necessary gazette under the Directorate of Secondary Education; immediate recruitment, promotion and posting to fill vacancies in schools and inspection units; approval of pending time-scale and selection-grade benefits in line with the Supreme Court verdict; and reinstating the pre-2015 provision of two to three increments and advance salary benefits for assistant teachers.
