University teachers across Bangladesh are expressing unanimous support for their exclusion from the Prottoy scheme, a component of the universal pension program.
This development follows a crucial meeting between leaders of the Bangladesh Teachers Association Federation and Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury.
The meeting, held on Monday at the Ministry of Education, reaffirmed the teachers' demands.
It was attended by notable figures, including Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, prime minister’s advisor on education and culture, State Minister for Education Begum Shamsun Nahar, and Nurul Islam Nahid, chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on the Ministry of Education and former education minister.
High-ranking officials from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance, and the National Pension Authority were also present.
While no immediate decisions were made regarding the teachers' full set of demands, there was agreement on removing teachers from the Prottoy scheme.
A final decision on the matter is expected after further consultations with the prime minister, according to sources within the meeting.
Professor Dr Nizamul Haque Bhuiyan, general secretary of the Bangladesh University Teachers Association Federation and President of the Dhaka University Teachers Association, said: “There is an agreement that university teachers will not be included in the Prottoy scheme. We await further directives following discussions with the prime minister.”
The meeting also included constructive talks on implementing supergrade and separate pay scales for teachers. Authorities have acknowledged these issues and pledged to address them in due course.
Dr Bhuiyan said: "If an official order to withdraw teachers from the Prottoy scheme is issued and if we receive favorable responses to our other two demands, we will consider ending our strike."
Since July 1, public university teachers and staff have been engaged in a comprehensive strike demanding the cancellation of the Prottoy scheme and addressing additional concerns.
The strike has resulted in the suspension of classes, examinations, and administrative functions.