Assistant teachers of government primary schools again took to the streets with a three-point demand, including a salary upgrade to the 10th grade.
They began a sit-in program at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital at 9am on Saturday.
The Primary Teachers’ Demand Implementation Council stated that the program will continue until their demands are met.
Participating in the sit-in were: Principal Md Abul Kashem, president of Bangladesh Primary Teachers’ Association (Kashem-Shahin group); Khairun Nahar Lipi, general secretary of Bangladesh Primary Teachers’ Association (Shahin-Lipi group); Md Shamsuddin Masud, central president of Bangladesh Primary School Assistant Teachers’ Association; key coordinator Mohammad Anwar Ullah; and primary teachers from different parts of the country.
They stated that police sub-inspectors, nurses, sub-assistant agriculture officers, union parishad secretaries, administrative officers from various ministries and departments, and personal officers all receive salaries under the 10th grade.
Despite having the highest academic qualifications, primary school assistant teachers have long struggled yet still have not received the 11th grade. Therefore, the teachers are now taking to the field to achieve their three-point demand, including the 10th grade salary scale.
The teachers said that after several rounds of movement, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education promised to implement the 11th grade. Accordingly, on August 7, the ministry sent the proposal to the Ministry of Finance.
But instead of implementing it, the finance ministry forwarded it to the newly formed Pay Commission. After two months without progress, the teachers held a meeting with the Pay Commission.
In the meeting, the Pay Commission said that changing the teachers’ salary grade is not within its jurisdiction—this is a responsibility of the Service Commission. After the Pay Commission expressed its inability, the teachers returned to their demand for the 10th grade and announced their new program to implement it.
The teachers’ three-point demand is: Grant assistant teachers the 10th grade salary scale, Resolve issues related to higher grade benefits after 10 and 16 years of service, Ensure 100% departmental promotion.
From October 17, the teachers had launched a hunger strike unto death. However, a section of teachers suddenly suspended the program.
