Primary teachers' group warns of locking schools amid demands over pay, promotions

Teachers have called for 11th-grade pay, resolution of higher-grade complexities, and guaranteed promotions for assistant teachers

As a section of government primary school teachers continue their work stoppage by boycotting annual exams over pay raises and grade complexities, while another group threatened to “lock” schools if their demands are not met.

On Tuesday, several assistant teachers under the banner of the Primary Teachers’ Demand Implementation Council observed a full-day work stoppage, having previously suspended annual exams.

The movement began days ago over three key demands, including pay adjustments for 10th-grade teachers, before being paused following assurances regarding 11th-grade salaries.

Another coalition of twelve primary teacher organisations has set a Wednesday deadline for the government to meet their demands, which include 11th-grade pay, resolution of higher-grade complications, and confirmed promotions for assistant teachers.

Anisur Rahman, convenor of the Primary Assistant Teacher Unity Council, told bdnews24.com on Tuesday: “We held a virtual meeting on Monday night to announce this programme. If effective measures are not taken to implement the three-point demand of assistant teachers, from Thursday all government primary schools will be subject to a lockout action.”

Teachers affiliated with the coalition have already carried out half-day strikes last Sunday and Monday, and full-day strikes on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Under the Primary Teachers’ Demand Implementation Council, a section of teachers has continued strikes since last Thursday, pressing for the implementation of 11th-grade pay assurances.