Despite previous suppression by police, candidates recommended for the position of assistant teachers in government primary schools from the third phase in Dhaka and Chittagong divisions remained steadfast in their protests for the seventh consecutive day on Wednesday.
Mohibullah, coordinator of the movement, said: "[The previous day] we set an ultimatum until [this] noon, but the authorities neither responded nor provided any solutions.
“As teachers, we were patient, but now we are being pushed to the edge. We are not just backed against a wall – we are facing death.”
The protesters had been humiliated and mistreated despite being recommended for the job, he added.
The recruiting authorities would have to bear the responsibility for any “unfortunate incident,” Mohibullah warned.
“We never asked to be recommended for the job only to be left protesting on the streets. We are not making any new demands – just ensure our appointment."
Earlier, on Tuesday afternoon, the job seekers held a meeting with the primary and mass education adviser and the secretary at the Secretariat. Representatives of the protesters, including Jannatul Nayeem Sweety, Talukdar Piyas, Nawrin Akter, Shamima Akter, Mala Bose and Shahriar Azim, attended the meeting.
Afterwards, Sweety told the media in the evening that they would not withdraw their protest without a confirmed appointment, adding that the government must resolve any legal complications and ensure their recruitment.
“A total of 6,531 candidates from Dhaka and Chittagong divisions recommended for the assistant teacher position in government primary schools must be appointed.
“We have spoken with the advisor and secretary, and they have assured us [that our demand will be met]. However, we have relied on assurances before, to no avail. That is why we will continue our movement."
These recommended candidates have been staging continuous protests since February 6.
Even after facing police action on Monday, they have remained steadfast in their demands.
Notably, the High Court on February 6 cancelled the recruitment of 6,531 candidates from the third phase in Dhaka and Chittagong divisions who had been selected as assistant teachers in government primary schools.
The court ordered a fresh recruitment process based on merit.
Prior to this, on November 19 last year, the High Court had put a six-month hold on the recruitment process for these 6,531 candidates.
