Police dispersed protesting teachers who had blocked the road at Dhaka’s Shahbagh, using batons and water cannons to remove them.
Registered job seekers under the Non-Government Teachers' Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) and recommended primary teachers staged a blockade at the Shahbagh intersection around 1pm on Monday.
By 1:45pm, police intervened and broke up the protest.
Earlier, traffic has come to a halt at Dhaka’s Shahbagh intersection as protesters demand the swift recruitment of 6,531 assistant teachers for government primary schools in the third phase of hiring in Dhaka and Chittagong divisions.
The blockade began around 1pm on Monday.
According to the demonstrators, the recruitment process was announced in three phases. While the first two phases were completed, the third phase has been stalled.
A press release from the protesters stated that the third-phase recruitment notice was issued on June 14, 2023. The written exam took place on March 29, 2024, with results announced on April 21.
The viva exams concluded on June 12, and the final results were published on October 31 after approvals from the Ministry of Law and the Ministry of Public Administration. A total of 6,531 candidates were recommended for appointment.
However, 31 candidates who were not selected filed a petition with the High Court, leading to a six-month suspension of the recruitment process. On February 6, the High Court canceled the recruitment of the 6,531 candidates in Dhaka and Chattogram divisions.
The press release further stated that despite being recommended for appointment, the candidates remain unemployed, leaving their families in financial and social distress. “How much longer do we have to endure this uncertainty? By now, we should have been at our workplaces, yet we are on the streets. Who will take responsibility for our lives? Who will ensure justice for us?” the protesters questioned, demanding an immediate resolution and the opportunity to join their positions without further delay.
