Dhaka, Oct 12 (V7N) – The way teachers were beaten on the streets cannot be the character of a civilized state, said Hasnat Abdullah, Chief Organizer of the National Citizens Party (NCP) in the southern region. He urged the government to apologize without delay for what he termed a “despicable act.”

Hasnat made the remarks on Sunday (October 12) after visiting the protesting teachers who were attacked during their demonstration in front of the National Press Club.

“It is heartbreaking that teachers in our country begin their jobs with a salary of only Tk 12,500. I know a teacher who has been working for 32 years, and his salary has only increased to Tk 22,000. One kilogram of hilsa fish costs Tk 2,800—that’s about 15 percent of a teacher’s monthly income after three decades of service. Yet, even 20 percent of this salary isn’t provided as house rent,” Hasnat said.

He added that teachers, who are supposed to be role models in society, often struggle to maintain dignity due to their meager pay. “Teachers must always appear neat and clean, but with a salary of Tk 15,000–20,000 per month, many spend the last ten days of every month living in hardship and humiliation,” he remarked.

Criticizing the government’s priorities, the NCP leader said, “In other countries, the education sector receives the highest priority. But in Bangladesh, teachers get whatever remains after everyone else has eaten. Expecting international-standard education without paying teachers properly is a national farce.”

“If we don’t treat teachers as first-class citizens, how can we expect them to produce first-class citizens?” he asked. Hasnat also criticized the interim government, saying, “We expected this government to be education-friendly, but instead it has become promotion-friendly. Its main function now seems to be granting postings. Those who once chanted slogans during Hasina’s rule are still receiving postings in exchange for money.”

Strongly condemning the police action on teachers, Hasnat said, “Beating teachers on the streets is a disgrace to any civilized nation. The government must immediately apologize and release all arrested teachers before sunset.”

Referring to the health advisor’s recent foreign medical trip, he added, “When the health advisor fell ill, he went to Singapore for treatment. He should have been treated in the same hospitals where ordinary citizens go. Going abroad for treatment is nothing short of shameless.”

END/SMA/AJ