Assistant teachers of government primary schools, who had been on an indefinite strike demanding grade promotions and other benefits, have temporarily suspended their work abstention following assurances from the government.
The announcement was made on Sunday night after a meeting with government representatives at the Secretariat, confirmed by Mohammad Shamsuddin Masud, central convener of the Primary Assistant Teachers’ Unity Council.
However, the announcement also stated that their sit-in protest will continue at the central Shaheed Minar.
Earlier in the day, a meeting was held at the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, chaired by Secretary Abu Taher Md. Masud Rana, to discuss the teachers’ demands.
During that meeting, the teachers presented three main demands: upgrading assistant teachers’ current salary from Grade 13 to Grade 10, resolving complexities in obtaining higher grades after 10 and 16 years of service, and ensuring 100 percent departmental promotion from assistant teacher to head teacher.
After detailed discussions, the ministry assured that the Finance Ministry would be informed and steps would be taken to address the issues promptly.
According to the Directorate of Primary Education, the country has 65,567 government primary schools, all of which were affected by the strike.
Earlier this year, in April, the government upgraded head teachers’ salaries from Grade 11 to Grade 10 and Grade 13 teachers to Grade 12.
However, assistant teachers claimed this created inequality, prompting their ongoing movement.
