Pabna, Nov 28 (V7N) — Government primary school assistant teachers across Pabna district have begun an indefinite work stoppage as part of a nationwide movement to press for their three-point charter of demands. The strike, which began on Thursday morning, has resulted in the suspension of all classroom activities, leaving thousands of young students without lessons just days before annual examinations.

Parents and community members expressed frustration, calling the teachers’ decision to enforce the strike at such a critical time “deeply irresponsible” and “unfair to students.” They argue that children are being held hostage in a dispute that could have been addressed without disrupting their education.

During a visit to Bhajpara Government Primary School, teachers were seen present on campus but refrained from conducting classes. While some sat inside the teachers’ lounge or outside in the courtyard, students were scattered around the school grounds, playing unattended.

Assistant teacher Saidul Islam said they were following directives issued by the national Primary Teachers’ Demand Implementation Committee. He added that the strike would continue indefinitely until their demands were addressed. The demands include upgrading assistant teachers to the 10th grade pay scale, resolving complications related to higher-grade eligibility after 10 and 16 years of service, and ensuring 100 percent departmental promotion from assistant teacher to head teacher.

Rabeya Khatun, an assistant teacher at Purbo Raghobpur Government Primary School, stated that their demands have been ignored for years. She said the current movement is a last resort after repeated commitments from authorities went unfulfilled.

Parents voiced strong objections. Mizanur Rahman, a parent from Maligacha village, said that while protests are common in the country, it becomes unacceptable when teachers disrupt children’s education. Another parent, Ariful Islam of Arifpur village, criticized the timing, saying the strike would directly harm students who are preparing for their annual examinations. He urged teachers to postpone the strike until after the exam period.

Arichur Rahman Hira, teacher representative of the Pabna Sadar Upazila Education Committee, described the teachers as “helpless.” He said more than 200 teachers were injured and one teacher died during a demonstration in Shahbagh on November 8. Despite assurances from the government, none of the promised measures have been implemented in the past 15 days, prompting 11 organizations to collectively call for a nationwide work stoppage.

Pabna District Primary Education Officer Md. Ashraful Kabir condemned the strike, noting that annual exams are scheduled for December 1–10 and the routine has already been issued. “As government employees, teachers should not take such actions. We have repeatedly urged them to return to class. If they do not comply, we will follow whatever measures the government instructs,” he said.

According to the district education office, Pabna has a total of 1,136 government primary schools.

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