Primary school teachers halt work boycotts following govt assurance over demands

Teachers of government primary schools have decided to suspend their work abstention programme for now after government officials assured them of working to meet their three-point demand.

However, their sit-in would continue in front of the Central Shaheed Minar, protest leaders said after attending a meeting with government officials at the Secretariat on Sunday night.

Mohammad Shamsuddin Masud, central convener of Primary Assistant Teachers’ Unity Council, announced the decisions after the meeting.

Abu Taher Md Masud Rana, secretary at the Primary and Mass Education Ministry, presided over the meeting.

Shamsuddin Masud said the secretary has heard of the demands in detail and assured them of informing the Finance Ministry in this regard. The government would soon undertake efforts to reach a resolution, Shamsuddin Masud said quoting Secretary Abu Taher.

The final decision would be taken after an inter-ministerial meeting on Monday, Shamsuddin Masud told reporters.

Due to the progress in negotiations, the teachers have decided to suspend their work boycotts for now, he said, adding the sit-in would continue until a full resolution is reached.

The three demands raised by the teachers are: upgrading their status from 10th grade to 10th grade on the national pay scale, removing hurdles in reaching higher grades after 10-16 years in service, and ensuring 100% divisional promotion to headmasters from the rank of assistant teachers.