Dhaka University Teachers' Association has announced the suspension of classes and examinations of all departments of the university from Monday as part of an all-out movement demanding the withdrawal of the new universal pension scheme “Prottoy” issued by the Finance Ministry.
The strike will continue until their demands are met, which include the withdrawal of the inclusion of university teachers from the Prattay Scheme, the introduction of a separate pay scale for teachers, and the inclusion of university teachers in the promised super grade.
A press release, signed by Dhaka University Teachers' Association President Prof Dr Md Nizamul Haque Bhuiyan and General Secretary Prof Dr Zeenat Huda, was issued in this regard on Sunday.
Dr Md Nizamul Hoque Buiyan, secretary general of the Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers' Association and President of the Dhaka University Teachers' Association, said: "We have not yet received any assurance from any level of the government regarding our demands. As a result, following our pre-announced program, we are proceeding with a full-day work abstention on Sunday and an all-out work abstention from Monday."
The teachers have announced they will begin a complete work abstention from Monday if the government does not take effective action on their demands by Sunday.
This program is being coordinated by the Federation of University Teachers' Association, a coalition of Public University Teachers' Associations.
In addition to the closure of classes and suspension of examinations, Duta has outlined the following measures:
- All online, evening, and professional course classes on Fridays and Saturdays will be cancelled.
- Departmental chairpersons will close departmental offices, seminars, computer labs, and laboratories.
- Academic, coordination, and development committee meetings, as well as question paper coordination meetings, will be suspended.
- Faculty deans will close their offices and halt all admission test-related activities and orientation ceremonies. Selection Board meetings will not be held.
- Directors of various institutes will close their offices, classes, and examinations. Evening and weekend classes will be cancelled.
- Directors of research centers will refrain from holding seminars, conferences, and workshops. Provosts of different halls will close their offices.
- The chief librarian will close the Central Library.
- Duta has also announced that it will not participate in any events on Monday to commemorate the 103rd founding anniversary of the university.
General Secretary of Duta, Prof Dr Zeenat Huda, said: "Tomorrow (Monday) marks the founding anniversary of Dhaka University. Regrettably, on such a significant day, the university's teachers will be forced to take to the streets. We have communicated with the vice-chancellor on behalf of Duta, informing him that we will not take part in any Dhaka University Day programs."