Khairun Nahar Lipi, spokesperson for the Primary Teachers’ Unity Council, confirmed the decision on Monday after a meeting with the Finance Ministry. She said the ministry had provided written assurance that a proposal to raise the assistant teachers’ pay to grade 11 had already been sent to the Pay Commission for final recommendation. Once approved, it will be forwarded to the Finance Ministry for implementation.
“Since the ministry has issued a press release about upgrading primary teachers to grade 11, we are treating it as an official notification. This is our initial victory. We are withdrawing all protest programs and returning to classrooms, trusting the government’s commitment,” Khairun Nahar Lipi said.
The teachers had been observing a nationwide work stoppage and sit-in protest since Saturday (November 8), after a violent clash with police in Dhaka’s Shahbagh area during their “pen-throwing” program. Police reportedly used sound grenades, tear gas, and rubber bullets to disperse the protesters, leaving several teachers injured. Following the confrontation, teachers took refuge near Dhaka University and Shaheed Minar, where they continued their sit-in for two consecutive days.
The protesting teachers had placed three major demands before the government: Upgrading assistant teachers’ salaries to 10th grade. A permanent resolution to complications surrounding higher grades. A guarantee of 100% departmental promotion from assistant teacher to head teacher.
Following the government’s assurance, the Primary Teachers’ Unity Council has now called off all agitation programs and instructed teachers across the country to resume academic activities from Tuesday.
