Staff Reporter:
Assistant teachers of government primary schools set a 25 September deadline for the government on Saturday to meet their three demands.
They urged a meeting with the chief adviser within this period, warning that they would begin an indefinite hunger strike on 26 September if the government fails to respond.
The teachers announced the ultimatum and their new action plan at a grand rally at Dhaka’s Central Shaheed Minar on Saturday afternoon.
Earlier, a delegation of teachers submitted a memorandum to the Chief Adviser’s Residence, Jamuna, regarding their demands.
The rally, called by the “Assistant Teachers Unity Council,” a front of six primary teachers’ organisations, drew thousands of participants from across the country.
Their demands include raising assistant teachers’ minimum salary to the 11th grade, filling all head teacher posts through 100% promotion from assistant teachers, and fulfilling the other key demand.
During the programme, teachers warned they would adopt stricter measures if authorities ignored their call.
BNP’s Organisational Secretary and teacher association leader Selim Bhuiya expressed support at the rally, pledging that his party would ensure the demands are met if it gains a parliamentary majority.
Leaders from other political parties also plan to show solidarity with the teachers’ movement.
