Government primary school assistant teachers have announced an indefinite work abstention across the country from Sunday, demanding implementation of their three-point charter, including an upgrade of their pay scale to Grade 10.

The announcement came on Saturday evening from the Primary Teachers’ Demands Implementation Council, a coalition of four teachers’ associations.

Earlier in the day, police dispersed a procession of demonstrating teachers at Shahbagh, using batons, tear gas, sound grenades, and hot water cannons, leaving several teachers injured.

Teachers had been holding a sit-in at the Central Shaheed Minar since morning before marching toward Shahbagh in the afternoon. Police set up barricades to stop them, triggering a clash when the teachers tried to break through.

Mohammad Shamsuddin Masud, president of the Government Primary School Assistant Teachers’ Association, alleged that police attacked a peaceful demonstration. “More than fifty teachers were injured, and two were detained,” he told reporters.

However, Khalid Monsur, officer-in-charge of Shahbagh Police Station, said teachers attempted to march toward the Chief Adviser’s residence, prompting police to intervene. “They tried to break the barricade, so we dispersed them,” he said.

Teachers have vowed to continue their work stoppage until their demands are fulfilled.

Government primary school assistant teachers across Bangladesh are set to stage a new protest, demanding implementation of their desired pay grade. The movement, organized under the banner of Prathomik Shikkhok Dabi Bastobayon Parishad (Primary Teachers’ Demand Implementation Council), will begin on Saturday (November 8) with a sit-in at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka.

In a statement, Mohammad Shamsuddin Masud, president of the Bangladesh Primary School Assistant Teachers’ Association, announced that the teachers will continue their movement until their demands are met.

Their three-point charter of demands includes fixing the salary at the 10th grade, resolving the issue of higher grade promotion after 10 and 16 years of service, and ensuring 100 percent departmental promotion.

Several teacher organizations, including Bangladesh Primary Teachers’ Association (Kashem-Shahin), Bangladesh Primary School Assistant Teachers’ Association, and the Assistant Teachers’ 10th Grade Implementation Council, will take part in the protest.

Organizers expect around 20,000 teachers to join the demonstration. Meanwhile, ministry officials have reportedly been in contact with teacher representatives.

Currently, Bangladesh has 65,567 government primary schools with about 384,000 teachers. In an order issued on April 24, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education upgraded head teachers’ pay from the 11th to 10th grade and assistant teachers’ pay from the 13th to 12th grade — a decision that has failed to satisfy assistant teachers.

Sociology student Mamun Mia of Chittagong University (CU) has successfully undergone skull reconstruction surgery following serious injuries sustained during a violent clash between students and locals.

The operation was carried out on Saturday (November 1) at a private hospital in Chattogram by Dr. Md. Ismail Hossain, Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at Chittagong Medical College Hospital. Mamun’s condition is now reported to be improving.

The clash erupted on the night of August 30 and continued into the next day near the university’s Gate No. 2, reportedly following allegations that a female student had been assaulted. At least 200 students, including the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof. Md. Kamal Uddin and the then Proctor Prof. Tanvir Mohammad Haider Arif, as well as 10 to 12 local residents, were injured.

The injured were initially taken to Chittagong Medical College Hospital, and the critically wounded were later transferred to private facilities. Mamun, who sustained severe head injuries, was kept on life support and had part of his skull temporarily removed.

Dr. Ismail Hossain said, “There were some complications after surgery, so we didn’t immediately disclose it. The operation was successful, and the patient is expected to be discharged within a few days.