Dhaka, Nov 09  (V7N)- Assistant teachers of government primary schools have gone on an indefinite nationwide strike, demanding three points including an upgrade of their salary scale to the 10th grade. Alongside the strike, teachers are also staging a sit-in protest at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka.

Although students attended school in various districts on Sunday (November 9) morning, teachers abstained from taking classes, leading to a complete suspension of academic activities in more than 65,000 primary schools across the country.

Many students returned home after finding classrooms empty, while parents expressed deep concern over the indefinite suspension of teaching.

The strike is being led by the Primary Assistant Teachers’ Oikya Parishad, which called for the movement to press home their demands.

On Saturday afternoon, a procession of primary teachers in Shahbagh was dispersed by police, leaving more than a hundred teachers injured after baton charges, tear gas, water cannons, and sound grenades were reportedly used.

Teachers alleged that police attacked them without provocation, while law enforcement authorities claimed the teachers attempted to march toward the Chief Advisor’s residence in Jamuna, ignoring police barricades.

Currently, assistant teachers receive salaries under the 13th grade of the national pay scale. Their three-point demand includes:

1. Upgrading salaries to the 10th grade,

2. 100% departmental promotion, and

3. Higher grade benefits after 10 and 16 years of service.

END/SMA/AJ