Primary teachers' sit-in programme begins at Shaheed Minar

_Government primary school assistant teachers began a continuous sit-in at Dhaka’s central Shaheed Minar on Saturday (November 8) demanding implementation of their three-point charter of demands, including 10th-grade pay.

The protest, organised under the banner of the "Primary Teachers’ Demand Implementation Council", involves teachers from four associations.

Bangladesh Primary School Assistant Teachers’ Association President Mohammad Shamsuddin Masud said thousands have already joined, with participation expected to exceed 50,000 by day’s end.

"Some teachers reported facing obstacles and threats via phone," he said.

The three demands are: Grant 10th-grade pay for assistant teachers, resolve complications in promotion after 10 and 16 years of service and ensure 100% departmental promotions.

Participating groups include Bangladesh Primary Teachers’ Association (Kashem-Shahin), Bangladesh Primary School Assistant Teachers’ Association, Bangladesh Primary Teachers’ Association (Shahin-Lipi), and Assistant Teachers’ 10th Grade Implementation Council.

Teachers from the third-phase recruitment of Dhaka and Chattogram divisions have also expressed solidarity.

According to the Directorate of Primary Education, nearly 384,000 teachers work in 65,567 government primary schools nationwide. While the Education Ministry upgraded pay grades for headteachers and higher-grade teachers in April, assistant teachers say their demands remain unaddressed, prompting the current protest.