Police used water cannons and resorted to baton charges on protesting private primary school teachers who had been excluded in the third phase of nationalization.
The incident occurred in front of the Jatiya Press Club in the capital on Wednesday as the teachers attempted to march toward the chief adviser's residence in State Guest House Jamuna, demanding the nationalization of private primary schools.
Under the banner of the Bangladesh Private Primary Teachers’ Association, teachers had been demonstrating at the Jatiya Press Club for their demands.
Frustrated by the lack of any assurance regarding their demands despite prolonged protests, they decided to march toward the chief adviser’s residence.
However, police had already taken a defensive position at the Kadam Fountain intersection.
As the procession of private primary school teachers approached Kadam Fountain, police stopped them and attempted to negotiate, saying that such a large group could not be allowed to proceed to the residence, but a delegation of a few representatives could go instead. The protesters refused this proposal.
When they attempted to move forward despite the police blockade, law enforcement used water cannons against them.
Even after this, the teachers were not deterred, prompting the police to resort to baton charges.
At least five private primary school teachers were injured in the clash.
During the protest, teacher Liakat Ali said: "Our demand is the nationalization of private primary schools. We were marching towards Jamuna, but water cannons were used against us. Why such discrimination? If the government had taken proper measures, we would not have had to take to the streets."
Earlier, the association’s general secretary, Md Firoz Uddin, said: "Eligible private primary schools across Bangladesh, excluded from the third phase of nationalization, are facing discrimination. On February 3, the chief adviser’s office sent a letter regarding this issue, but we are yet to see its implementation. Since February 16, we have been staging demonstrations."
He further added: "In 2013, a total of 26,193 private primary schools across Bangladesh were nationalized. However, despite meeting the necessary criteria, over 4,000 eligible private primary schools were excluded due to political vendetta and bureaucratic complications. As a result, nearly 800,000 students have been deprived of their fundamental rights."
Highlighting their long-standing protests, he said: "Since 2015, we have staged several movements in front of the Jatiya Press Club, including an 18-day demonstration in 2018, a 56-day protest in 2019, and protests on September 10 and 11 in 2024. Most recently, we staged a demonstration from January 25 to 27, 2025. As a result of our January protests, the chief adviser’s office issued a letter to the ministry. We strongly demand the swift implementation of this directive."