MPO-listed teachers suspend street protest, announce 3-day work stoppage

Teachers demanding formalisation of MPO-listed jobs warn of strikes in September if promises remain unfulfilled

Teachers seeking the nationalisation of MPO-listed institutions have suspended their street protest after announcing a three-day work stoppage.

On Wednesday, the march towards the Secretariat began shortly after 2pm, following a sit-in outside the Press Club from 10am.

The group was stopped by police near the Secretariat’s Gate No. 5. A 12-member delegation then met Education Advisor CR Abrar inside the Secretariat. By 3:45pm, the protesters emerged to announce the new programme.

Delwar Hossain Azizi, member secretary of the “MPO-Bhukto Shikkha Jatiyakaran Protyashi Jote”, said the teachers had proposed increasing house rent allowance as a percentage.

The education ministry informed them it would raise the allowance by 20 percent and send the proposal to the finance ministry. Medical allowance would also double to Tk 1,000.

“We prioritised house rent in the talks,” he said, adding that if the finance ministry did not issue a due letter, a half-day work stoppage would be held at all MPO-listed schools, madrasas and technical institutions on Sept 14, followed by full-day strikes on Sept 15–16.

If demands remain unmet, an indefinite sit-in would begin on Oct 12 at the Press Club, he added.

The alliance recalled that after a long movement in 2018, the then government implemented a 5 percent annual increment and 20 percent Boishakhi allowance, promising nationalisation in the next term.

Talks with the interim government earlier this year brought assurances of ending disparities, and the February budget announced higher allowances, but no gazette has been issued despite the budget allocation.

Azizi said, “MPO-listed teachers and staff are the backbone of the education system, yet we face persistent discrimination. We want an immediate gazette and a clear roadmap for nationalisation.”