NOAKHALI, May 17: A human chain was formed in the district on Saturday, demanding the immediate approval of the 8th phase of the project titled "Mosque-Based Child and Mass Education Programme for the Development of Ethics and Religious Values" under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and the payment of unpaid wages before Eid.
Teachers, caretakers, and staff involved in the project staged a one-hour human chain in front of the deputy commissioner's (DC) office in the town. After the demonstration, a memorandum was submitted to the Chief Advisor through the DC to press their demands.
Key demands presented in the memorandum include approval of the project from January, 2025 and payment of all outstanding salaries and allowances before Eid-ul-Azha, inclusion of all existing staff from the 3rd to 7th phases into the government revenue sector, automatic transfer of staff from the 7th phase to the 8th phase and inclusion of caretakers and other staff under salary scales, and an increase in the honorarium for teachers.
The project has been implemented by the Islamic Foundation since its inception in 1993. The 7th phase successfully ended on December 31, 2024. Although the 2025 academic year began with government-funded textbooks and materials being printed and distributed, the project is yet to be officially approved. Educational activities are ongoing as per directives, but the staffs remain unpaid, the memorandum said.
On August 19, the interim government's religious affairs advisor had promised to incorporate the existing manpower into the revenue sector, but no progress has been made on that front. During a meeting of the Project Evaluation Committee held on May 14 at the Planning Commission, discussions were held about starting salary payments only from the date of project approval-excluding five months of due salaries. This has caused deep concern, anxiety, and frustration among the 84,000 teachers, caretakers, and staff involved in the project.
They further noted that they did not receive any payment during Eid-ul-Fitr, and are now facing dire hardship. If their dues are not paid before the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, it could seriously damage the government's reputation nationwide.
