Assistant teachers of government primary schools have intensified their protest by boycotting the third-term assessments (annual exams) to press for their long-standing demands, while the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education attempts to bring them back to schools through show-cause notices and threats of criminal action. The ongoing standoff has left thousands of students across the country deprived of the year-end exams.
Director General of the Directorate of Primary Education, Abu Nur Md. Shamsuzzaman, told Dhaka Tribune: “The ministry has given assurances regarding the implementation of Grade 11. Recommendations from the Pay Commission are also required and are on the way. In this situation, it was necessary to wait.”
Asked about show-cause notices issued to teachers, he added: “It is not only that assistant teachers boycotted the exams, but they also insulted head teachers. We will take a strict stance.”
Background of the movement
The protest began on November 8, when teachers held a sit-in at Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka demanding the implementation of three rounds of demands, including Grade 10. Police reportedly used force during the demonstration, prompting assistant teachers nationwide to start work stoppages from November 9.
Initially, on November 10, teachers withdrew their protests after assurances on determining Grade 11 for assistant teachers. However, with no visible progress by the end of November, the teachers announced a renewed movement. From November 30, assistant teachers nationwide boycotted their work. The third-term assessments for primary students, scheduled for December 1, were consequently disrupted. While some schools conducted exams under the supervision of head teachers, most institutions could not hold the assessments.
On the second day of the exam boycott, December 2, four leading teachers—Md. Abul Kashem, convener of the Primary Teachers’ Demand Implementation Council; Mohammad Shamsuddin Masud; Khairun Nahar Lipi; and Mu. Mahbubur Rahman—also received show-cause notices.
Md. Shamsuddin Masud, central president of the Bangladesh Primary School Assistant Teachers’ Association, told Dhaka Tribune: “Teacher leaders have been issued show-cause notices. In Noakhali district, all teachers of batches 23 and 25 received similar notices from the local education officer.”
Following these developments, teacher leaders announced a complete shutdown of all schools on Tuesday night, December 2, while also holding protest rallies in front of Upazila education offices nationwide on December 3.
Impact on students and parents
Education experts warn that while ministry officials and teachers engage in a tug-of-war, students bear the brunt. Parents are expressing growing concern over the mental stress inflicted on children.
A parent from Mohammadpur, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “Teachers are protesting on their own accord, but why hold children hostage by stopping their exams? It is harming students’ mental well-being and causing tension for parents.”
Movement to continue until demands are met
Md. Shamsuddin Masud confirmed to Dhaka Tribune: “Teachers have entered the movement due to lack of visible progress in implementing the demands. The work stoppage will continue until the demands are met or there is visible progress in implementation.”
Regarding the boycotted exams, he added, “We have taught all year and conducted evaluations. If the demands are implemented, the third-term assessments can be conducted during the December holidays, requiring only eight days. Students will not suffer any harm.”
Khairun Nahar Lipi, another convener of the Primary Teachers’ Demand Implementation Council, said, “The movement will continue. The Primary Teachers’ Unity Council has actively joined the protest. Leaders including Anichur Rahman, Shaheenur Al Amin, Shaheenur Akter, and others will play an active role. We held a meeting today (Wednesday, December 3).”
Teachers angered by death of injured colleague
Leaders of the movement expressed outrage over the death of Fatema Akter, an assistant teacher from Chandpur’s Motlob Uttar 5 No. Jhinaia Government Primary School, who was injured during police action. “The government had already failed to implement the demands despite assurances. The death of the injured teacher has deeply shocked us,” they said.
Government response: Criminal action threats
The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has instructed teachers to resume work and conduct exams. It has also warned that failure to conduct the third-term assessments could lead to criminal action.
The ministry said the demands include:
- Payment of salaries at Grade 11 for assistant teachers (upgrading from Grade 13).
- Resolving complications for higher grade appointments after 10 and 16 years of service.
- 100% departmental promotion from assistant teacher to head teacher.
Letters regarding these demands have been sent to the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Public Administration. Discussions have also taken place with the finance adviser and Pay Commission chairperson to implement these demands.
Despite these measures, some assistant teacher organizations have obstructed the ongoing annual exams, physically harassing teachers willing to conduct them. The ministry emphasized that such actions are contrary to service laws, codes of conduct, and criminal law.
All assistant teachers are now instructed to immediately resume work and ensure proper completion of the third-term assessments. Otherwise, legal action under service law, code of conduct, and criminal law will be taken.