EDUCATION
Nationwide Strike Begins as Teachers Protest Police Action in Dhaka
Teachers across Bangladesh have begun an indefinite strike from Monday (October 13), shutting down all MPO-listed schools, colleges, madrasas, and technical institutions. The move comes in protest against police attacks on demonstrating teachers in Dhaka on Sunday.
On October 12, police used batons, water cannons, and sound grenades to disperse protesting teachers near the National Press Club. At least three teachers were injured — Ganapati Hawlader from Pirojpur, Shafiqul Islam Kajol from Kishoreganj, and Akkas Ali from Chandpur — while five others were detained.
Following the clash, some teachers regrouped at the Central Shaheed Minar, where Principal Delwar Hossain Azizi, member secretary of the MPO Teachers’ Nationalization Alliance, announced the start of a nationwide indefinite work stoppage from Monday.
“We cannot accept this brutal attack on teachers,” Azizi told reporters. “All MPO-registered institutions will remain closed until our demands are met.”
Teachers have been demanding fair pay, a 20% housing allowance, and inclusion of medical and festival bonuses in their salary structure. Earlier on Sunday, a delegation met officials from the Finance Ministry, who promised action by October 22, but the teachers rejected the assurance, saying they “no longer trust verbal commitments.”
Reports from Kushtia, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Chandpur, and Dhaka confirm that classrooms remain closed as teachers continue their sit-in protests.
Leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra Dal staged a protest at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Friday, condemning the shooting of Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent candidate for Dhaka-8 and spokesperson of Inqilab Manch. The demonstration began around 5:30 pm when protesters marched from the Central Shaheed Minar to the hospital, where Hadi is currently receiving treatment.
Chhatra Dal’s central president, Rakibul Islam Rakib, and secretary, Nasir Uddin Nasir, were present at the protest. The demonstrators chanted slogans demanding immediate arrest of those responsible, including “Why was Hadi shot? Interim answer now” and “Direct action.”
Earlier in the afternoon, armed assailants shot Hadi in the Bijoynagar culvert area. He was rescued and taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Following the attack, additional police and security personnel were deployed around the hospital. Authorities are working to identify the attackers and determine the motive behind the shooting
In Noakhali’s Hatiya upazila, the annual exams of more than four hundred students at Charkailash Government Primary School are being conducted by the headteacher alone, due to an ongoing work stoppage by assistant teachers. On 2 December, the assistant teachers were seen staying inside the office room while headteacher Monowara Hoque managed the examinations single-handedly.
Handling five classes at once has resulted in significant disorder during the exams. With no monitoring in several rooms, students were observed talking openly, copying from notebooks, and moving about freely. Concerned parents expressed frustration, saying that exam standards are being severely compromised and students’ academic futures are at risk.
Assistant teachers said they are observing the nationwide work stoppage to press for three demands, including 11th grade status and promotion. They warned of tougher programmes if their demands remain unmet.
Headteacher Monowara Hoque stated that while she respects the teachers’ movement, she is conducting the exams based on instructions from the DPEO, ADPEO and ATEO. She added that she is receiving support from former students to continue the examinations so that children do not fall behind.
Upazila Primary Education Officer Abdul Jabbar said that exams are being conducted in 79 out of Hatiya’s 227 schools. He added that further decisions regarding the remaining schools will be taken by the authorities.
The government has warned that secondary school teachers who suspended students’ examinations are in violation of civil service rules and will face disciplinary action. The caution came from Education Adviser Professor Dr C R Abrar during an exclusive interview with Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) on Monday.
Dr Abrar said the teachers’ decision to halt examinations amounts to a breach of the government’s code of conduct, adding that the authorities have taken a firm stance on the matter. He urged teachers to resume examinations immediately to ease pressure on students and their parents.
The adviser described the demand for upgrading teachers to the ninth grade as unjustified, saying they had joined service knowing they would remain in the tenth grade. He noted that the ninth grade is typically reserved for BCS administration cadre officers and involves inter-ministerial coordination, meaning teachers cannot be placed there unilaterally.
Dr Abrar further alleged that the teachers were “using students as instruments” by suspending examinations during their movement, which he termed unethical. He warned that failure to conduct exams from the next day would result in disciplinary action under civil service regulations.