Protesting teachers rally in Shahbagh over revoked primary school appointments

Candidates whose appointments as assistant teachers at government primary schools across Dhaka and Chattogram were annulled by the High Court have gathered for a “grand rally” in Dhaka's Shahbagh.

The rally began in front of the National Museum at 10am on Sunday, according to Talukdar Piyash, a candidate from Faridpur’s Nagarkanda Upazila and one of the leaders of the movement.

For the past 11 days, the candidates selected for the teaching positions have been protesting for the restoration of their appointments after the High Court cancelled them.

Piyash said the rally was being held to protest the "police assault on female candidates" and to press for the confirmation of their appointments.

“Our recruitment notice, written exams and interviews took place before the Supreme Court redefined the quota system. The government selected us based on recommendations from the law and public administration ministries. The High Court’s ruling is discriminatory,” said Mujibur Rahman, another protest leader.

Meanwhile, the government has appealed to the Appellate Division to suspend the High Court’s decision, which annulled the recruitment of 6,500 teachers in government primary schools in the Dhaka and Chattogram divisions.

Deputy Attorney General Md Asad Uddin said that the Directorate of Primary Education submitted the appeal on Thursday, with a hearing expected in the Supreme Court’s Chamber Court on Sunday.

Despite earlier promises not to block roads, protesters occupied the Shahbagh intersection on Saturday afternoon. Police later dispersed them using batons and water cannons, detaining 14 individuals.

Earlier, on Wednesday, the candidates demonstrated in front of the Directorate of Primary Education in Mirpur. They also protested at Shahbagh on Tuesday. That day, after discussions with Primary and Mass Education Advisor Bidhan Ranjan Roy Podder, they had agreed not to block roads.

On Feb 6, the High Court cancelled the selection of 6,531 candidates who had been recruited under the quota system for primary school teaching positions in Dhaka and Chattogram divisions. The court also ordered a fresh merit-based recruitment process. The affected candidates have been protesting since then, and the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has already appealed for a review of the verdict.

Previously, on Nov 19, following a writ petition filed by 30 job seekers, the High Court suspended the recruitment process for six months. As a result, 6,531 selected candidates had their appointments put on hold. The final verdict was delivered on Feb 6.

On Monday, when the dismissed candidates blocked the Shahbagh intersection, police used batons to disperse them. Since then, they have been stationed there, having previously demonstrated in front of the Press Club.

On Friday, when protesters attempted to march toward the chief advisor’s residence to draw attention to their demands, police intervened and dispersed them using batons.