Primary teachers announce 5-point demand including salary disparity drop

Government primary school teachers, under the banner of the Bangladesh Primary Teachers’ Association, have announced a five-point program to press for demands including the elimination of salary disparities and promotion-related reforms.

The announcement was made during a view-exchange meeting titled "Obstacles to Ensuring Fair Rights of Teachers in Primary Education and Resolution of Contemporary Crises", held at Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall of the National Press Club on Saturday (July 5).

The five-point demands are as follows: Immediate issuance of Grade-11 salary scale for assistant teachers and Grade-10 for 65,524 head teachers; 100% promotion to head teacher positions from the assistant teacher entry post, with promotion benefits calculated from the date of joining for current in-charge head teachers; Unconditional implementation of higher grades after 10 and 16 years of service; Protection of the Bangladesh Primary Teachers' Association office from what they termed as "conspiratorial government land acquisition"; Immediate announcement and implementation of the 9th national pay scale.

General Secretary of the association’s central committee, Khairun Nahar Lipi, outlined the upcoming protest programmes, which include: Submission of a memorandum to the Chief Advisor via the Deputy Commissioner on July 13; Submission of another memorandum to the Director General and Secretary on July 14, demanding the resolution of promotion case no. 73/2023 and recognition of promotion from the original joining date; Submission of a memorandum to the Divisional Commissioner on August 14; A scheduled meeting with the Chief Advisor on September 14 to formally present their demands; A hunger strike to death starting at the Central Shaheed Minar on September 28, if the demands remain unaddressed.

The meeting was presided over by Central President Md Moazzem Hossain Shaheen, with a keynote presentation by Policy Chairman Md Sirajul Islam. Advocate Rafiq Sikder, member of the BNP National Executive Committee, attended as chief guest. Professor Dr Muhammad Nazrul Islam of Jahangirnagar University was the main speaker, and the Nationalist FKrishak Dal' VP Ibrahim was present as special guest.

Other central leaders including Md Delwar Hossain, Md Imran Hossain, Md Miraj Hossain Molla, Alam Nasrah, Abu Naser Alamgir, Md Salma, and Marzia Pushpa were also in attendance.

The association stated that the movement will continue until their demands are addressed by the authorities.