Teachers begin indefinite strike today

Rejecting the government’s decision to increase the house rent allowance for MPO-listed teachers by only 5 percent of the basic salary or a minimum of Tk 2,000, the teachers have announced an indefinite hunger strike starting today, October 20.

The programme began at 10 am, with teachers also intensifying their ongoing work abstention across all private educational institutions.

Principal Delawar Hossain Azizi, Member Secretary of the Alliance for Nationalisation of MPO-Listed Education, confirmed the protest plan on Sunday night, October 19.

He said, “This hunger strike will continue until our just demands are met. From tomorrow, no teacher will conduct classes or perform administrative duties. Exam invigilation, office work, everything will remain suspended.”

Azizi further stated, “The Education Adviser has urged us to return to classrooms, but we have rejected his call. We have no confidence in him. Our movement will continue, and if necessary, it will evolve into a one-point movement demanding nationalisation.”

Meanwhile, the Finance Division of the government has already approved an increase in the house rent allowance for MPO-listed teachers and staff of private institutions.

As per the new decision, they will receive 5 percent of their basic salary as house rent allowance, with a minimum of Tk 2,000, effective from November 1.

A circular signed by Mariam Mitu, Deputy Secretary of the Regulation Subdivision under the Finance Division, was issued on Sunday morning, October 19.

It stated that the decision was made considering the government’s existing budgetary limitations.