Fifty-one candidates recommended for appointment as assistant teachers at government primary schools in Jamalpur have begun an indefinite hunger strike demanding their appointment letters.
They took position on the second floor of the District Primary Education Office on Tuesday morning and started the program.
According to the protesters, 136 candidates were finally recommended for appointment in Jamalpur. Of them, 84 received appointment letters on September 24, while one received a letter on September 28.
The remaining 51 candidates have been left out despite, they said, having no legal complications or problems with their documents. The candidates said they would continue the hunger strike until they receive their appointment letters.
Shamim Yasmin Sumi, a candidate from Sharifpara village in Dewanganj, said she has to support her family as her elderly father has no income and her younger brother is unemployed. “My younger sister studies at a medical college and I have a small child. I was counting on this job to support my family,” she said. “I do not know why we have been excluded. My age is almost over for getting a job,” she added.
Muntazil Billah of Koalikandi village in Madarganj said he completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Dhaka University before being recommended for the post. “We have been kept waiting for eight months. Of the 136 candidates, 51 still have not received appointment letters, but no specific reason has been given,” he said.
Sohel Alam of Mirzapur village in Jamalpur Sadar said the candidates were initially told they would receive their appointment letters in the second phase. “On Tuesday, one candidate received an appointment letter, but the remaining 51 were left out. We have no criminal cases, legal complications or document-related problems,” he said. “We want a clear explanation and our appointment letters. We will not leave until we receive them,” Sohel added.
The protesters’ presence disrupted activities at the District Primary Education Office. District Primary Education Officer Mohammad Ali Ahsan and other officials were not present at the office.
Contacted by phone, Ahsan said he was in Dhaka and working on the issue. “I do not yet know what problems the candidates may have under the relevant provisions. I have come to meet the aviation minister. They need to be patient. I hope there will be a positive outcome,” he said.