Teachers and employees of non-MPO educational institutions began a sit-in and human chain at the Central Shaheed Minar on Monday, demanding MPO registration for their institutions.
The program, organised by the Bangladesh Non-MPO Teachers and Employees Council, began at 9am and is scheduled to continue until 5pm.
The teachers had applied for permission to hold the program on Sunday and were granted permission subject to 21 conditions, according to a letter signed by DMP Additional Deputy Commissioner (Operations) Md Mahbub Hossain Kamal.
The police instructed the organisers to hold the program peacefully at the designated place and within the specified time.
The interim government had earlier finalised MPO registration for 1,719 educational institutions, but the decision has yet to receive final approval.
After the elected government took office, the education minister said applications from both the institutions already shortlisted and new institutions would be considered. In the 2026-27 fiscal year, all applications would be reviewed and necessary measures taken based on merit, subject to budgetary allocations, the minister said.
Speaking to Bangla Tribune, Non-MPO Educational Institutions Teachers and Employees Council President Principal Md Dabirul Islam said the education minister had assured them that more institutions would be brought under MPO registration alongside those already shortlisted.
He said the teachers would allow the government some time to implement the commitment, but warned that a larger movement would follow if the demands were not met.
The council's main demand is the simultaneous MPO registration of all eligible non-MPO educational institutions. Its other demands include granting MPO benefits to teachers from their date of joining and rehabilitating teachers who have been deprived of the benefits for a long time.
Police conditions
According to the DMP permission letter, the program cannot be held outside the approved location or beyond the stipulated time.
The organisers have also been barred from making provocative statements, spreading content that may hurt religious sentiments or engaging in activities that could deteriorate the law and order situation.
The conditions prohibit the use of narcotics and require participants to follow police instructions. The organisers have also been asked to arrange parking for vehicles used by participants.
The program must not disrupt public movement, and no human chain may be formed outside the approved area. The organisers will be held responsible if any disorder or undesirable incident occurs, according to the police.
Non-MPO Teachers and Employees Council Member Secretary Md Jahangir Alam said non-MPO teachers and employees had been working for years without salaries and allowances.
“Our only demand is to ensure the legitimate rights of teachers and employees by bringing eligible non-MPO educational institutions under the MPO scheme. We will continue our peaceful movement until this demand is met,” he said.