Pabna, Dec 02 (V7N) — Annual examinations at government secondary schools in Pabna were halted on Monday as teachers began a work abstention demanding the inclusion of assistant teachers in the 9th grade BCS cadre and the implementation of regular promotions. The protest follows a nationwide announcement from the Bangladesh Government Secondary Teachers’ Association, prompting teachers to suspend both classes and examinations.

During visits to Pabna Zilla School, Pabna Government Girls’ High School and other institutions around 11 a.m., teachers, staff members and officials were seen present on campus but refraining from entering classrooms. Many sat in office rooms or corridors, passing time in conversation as classrooms remained locked. Students who arrived for scheduled examinations were forced to return home, increasing concerns among both students and parents about academic disruption.

Teachers said they do not wish to cause harm to students but described themselves as left with no alternative after years of stalled promotions and delayed financial benefits. Senior teacher Md. Kamruzzaman, along with educators Asaduzzaman Khan, Md. Ariful Islam and Nazia Hasan, stated that assistant teachers have long faced discrimination despite clear legal standings in their favour. They noted that court verdicts supporting their entitlement to time scale and selection-grade benefits have not been implemented and that regular promotions and postings are often delayed without justification.

They said the protest will continue until the government meets their demands, adding that they are prepared to take extra classes on Fridays and Saturdays to make up for the academic loss once their demands are fulfilled.

The striking teachers have placed four major demands before the government:
(1) Inclusion of assistant teacher positions in the BCS (General Education) cadre and publication of the corresponding gazette under the Directorate of Secondary Education.
(2) Immediate implementation of recruitment, promotion and postings to vacant positions in schools and inspectorate branches.
(3) Execution of the Supreme Court’s ruling to grant pending time scale and selection-grade benefits.
(4) Restoration of the pre-2015 system allowing assistant teachers two to three increments along with advance salary benefits, followed by issuance of an updated gazette.

Teachers say their expectations are straightforward: fair treatment, equal recognition, and structural reforms that align with national education standards. They urge the government to respond promptly to prevent further academic damage and restore normalcy in school operations.

END/MSR/SMA/