Govt primary teachers launch ongoing work stoppage

Assistant teachers working at public primary schools have launched an ongoing full-day work stoppage programme on Monday.

The teachers are protesting to press home a series of demands, including wages under Grade 11 of the pay scale and recognition of their position as an entry-level post. Other demands include resolving the complications around transitioning to higher pay grades after completing 10 and 16 years of service, and faster promotions, including the promotion of assistant teachers to fill 100 percent of head teacher positions.

Md Anisur Rahman, president of the Bangladesh Primary Assistant Teachers’ Association – one of the organisations leading the protest, told bdnews24.com on Monday: "The advisory committee on primary and non-formal education reform has recommended setting the salary of teachers at the Grade 12 at the entry level and raising them to Grade 11 with a promotion after four years. But we want the salary of assistant teachers at the entry level to be at Grade 11. And we have launched a continuous full-day strike to demand the removal complications barring access to higher wage grades and the promotion of assistant teachers to fill 100% of head teacher posts."

He claimed that teachers from government-run primary schools across the country are observing the programme.

Anisur, who teaches at Old Dhaka’s Suritola Government Model Primary School, said: “We have come to school. Students are here as well. But no classes are being held. The teachers are at the schools.”

“We've had discussions with the director general [of the Directorate of Primary Education]. He assured us of resolving the complications of getting promotions and higher grades. At the same time, he also said that he would send a salary proposal for the 11th grade. However, we do not believe in assurances."

Teachers at government primary schools began their work stoppage programme on May 5 with a one-hour strike during class time. From May 15-20 they escalated it to a two-hour stoppage, and then a half-day strike from May 21 to Sunday.

Since May 5, the teachers have held a one-hour strike during class hours every day until May 15, two hours from May 15-20 and a half-day strike from May 21 until Sunday. It has now escalated into a full-day work stoppage.

Assistant teachers now receive salaries at Grade 13 and head teachers at Grade 11.

After the interim government took charge, an advisory committee was formed on primary and non-formal education reforms in October. Emeritus Professor Manzoor Ahmed of BRAC University was appointed as its convenor. The committee submitted its recommendation report on Feb 10.

The committee recommended abolishing the post of assistant teacher and paying Grade 12 salaries for entry-level teachers. It recommended paying head teachers under Grade 10 and appointing them to the post of head teachers through promotion.

Then, on Apr 24, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education took the initiative to raise the salary of head teachers from Grade 11 to Grade 10, and also raised the salaries of assistant teachers from Grade 13 to Grade 12.