Teachers Reject Education Advisor’s Proposal, Call to Continue Movement!
Education Advisor Professor Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar proposed a 5 percent increase in salary for MPO-registered teachers based on their three demands, including a 20 percent increase in basic salary and house rent allowance. However, teachers have rejected this proposal. On Thursday (16 October), the teachers’ representative delegation informed the media after a meeting at the Ministry of Education.
Earlier, the Education Advisor and ministry officials met with the protesting teachers. At that time, the Education Advisor said, “From the beginning, I have been vocal in support of increasing teachers’ salaries, training, and dignity. My colleagues in the cabinet are also sympathetic about this matter.”
On Thursday morning, teachers were stationed at the Central Shaheed Minar. Later, at the invitation of the Ministry of Education, a 16-member teachers’ representative delegation met with the advisor.
Meanwhile, MPO-registered teachers and staff of private educational institutions started continuous blockade programs in front of the National Press Club last Sunday demanding a 20 percent increase in basic salary (minimum 3,000 taka), house rent allowance, and other three-point demands. A large number of teachers and staff from all over the country participated. However, they could not stay long there as the police dispersed the teachers and staff by baton charge, sound grenades, and water cannons. Since Monday, they have been protesting at the Central Shaheed Minar.
On the other hand, on Thursday, MPO-registered teachers across the country observed a work stoppage for the fifth consecutive day. The other two demands of the teachers and staff are medical allowance of 1,500 taka for both teachers and staff, and 75 percent festival allowance for staff.
