Assistant teachers at government primary schools across Bangladesh began a full-day work abstention programme on Monday.
They have launched this movement to press for three key demands, including placement in the 11th pay grade, after rejecting the recommendations made by the Consultation Committee of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education.
The teachers said that their initial demand was for the 10th pay grade. Even if the 11th grade had been proposed instead, it would have been acceptable. However, proposing the 12th grade is considered a form of disrespect to the teaching profession. Therefore, they asserted, the movement will continue until their demands are met.
The movement began earlier on May 5 with a one-hour daily work abstention, which continued until May 15
From May 16 to May 20, they observed two-hour work abstentions on each working day. This was followed by a half-day abstention programme from May 21 to Sunday.
After completing the half-day programme on Sunday, they commenced an indefinite full-day work abstention starting Monday.
Mohammad Shamsuddin Masud, the convener of the United Council of Primary Assistant Teacher Organizations, said: “Work abstention is being observed in all government primary schools across the country. Even though all assistant teachers nationwide are participating, the government has not taken any action in response. This programme will continue until the demands are met. However, any examinations will be excluded from the scope of this programme.”
Mohammad Shamsuddin Masud, also the convener of the Bangladesh Primary School Assistant Teachers' Association and the United Council of Assistant Teacher Organizations, said: “Given the current situation, we cannot accept the proposal to place assistant teachers in the 12th grade. We demand that assistant teachers be placed in the 11th grade as the entry-level pay, and that 100% of head teacher positions be filled through promotion. Additionally, the ministry must promptly resolve issues related to promoted pay scales and higher grades to ensure assistant teachers receive their first and second higher grades after completing 10 and 16 years of service, respectively. Otherwise, the movement will continue.”
Teacher leader and assistant teacher at Mohammadpur Government Primary School in the capital, Khairun Nahar Lipi, said: “We have consistently rejected the Consultation Committee’s recommendations for the 12th grade and the assistant head teacher post. On January 24 at the Central Shaheed Minar and again on January 26 in front of the Directorate of Primary Education, we voiced our rejection with the participation of teachers from across the country. If the issue of the 12th grade continues to be pushed forward, it will create a major obstacle for everyone. We do not accept the 12th grade, and we never will. If necessary, our movement will become even more rigorous.”
The three demands are as follows:
Reforming the Consultation Committee’s recommendations rationally, designating the assistant teacher post as the entry-level position with pay fixed at the 11th grade.
Resolving complexities in obtaining higher grades after 10 and 16 years of service.
Ensuring 100% promotion to the head teacher post and expediting the overall promotion process.
