Dhaka, Oct 21 (V7N) — Teachers and employees of private educational institutions under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme have continued their agitation for the 10th consecutive day, pressing for three key demands, including a 20 percent increase in house rent allowance.

The teachers began their sit-in demonstration at the Central Shaheed Minar on Monday (October 21) morning. According to organizers, leaders of the National Citizens Party (NCP) are expected to join the protest at 11 a.m. to express solidarity with the teachers’ movement.

At 12:30 p.m., protesters are scheduled to form a human chain at Shahbagh, wearing black cloths tied around their faces as a symbol of protest.

On Sunday, the teachers held a hunger strike and rally at the same venue but said they had received no assurance from the authorities regarding their demands. They have vowed to intensify the movement until the government provides a satisfactory response.

The teachers’ demands include:

1. A 20 percent increase in the house rent allowance.

2. Timely payment of salaries and benefits under the MPO scheme.

3. Nationalization of private educational institutions.

Earlier, on September 30, the government announced a Tk 500 increase in rent allowance. However, teachers and staff rejected the decision after it was made public on October 5, calling it insufficient and launching a series of protests. Following this, the Ministry of Education forwarded a proposal to the Finance Department recommending an increase of Tk 2,000 to Tk 3,000 instead.

On Sunday afternoon, the teachers’ planned “hunger march” from Shaheed Minar to Shiksha Bhaban was intercepted by police and BGB at the High Court Mazar Gate around 3:30 p.m. The marchers later returned to Shaheed Minar and resumed their sit-in.

During an evening rally, Delwar Hossain Azizi, member secretary of the Education Nationalization Aspiring Alliance, declared that teachers were prepared to continue their hunger strike to death if their demands remain unmet.

Despite repeated appeals, the Ministry of Education has yet to issue a definitive response to the protesting teachers’ demands.

END/SMA/AJ