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Published : 01 Dec 2025, 03:14 PM
Teachers in government primary and secondary schools have intensified their protests just as the academic year draws to a close, throwing annual examinations into uncertainty nationwide.
Lately, classes were often disrupted due to intermittent agitation programmes by teachers. Now, with annual exams under way, the latest phase of work abstention has halted tests in many schools.
More than 700 government secondary school teachers began an indefinite work stoppage on Monday, forcing the suspension of ongoing annual exams in these institutions.
They have dismissed government warnings of action and vowed to continue their movement.
Many of the 65,000 government primary schools also could not take their scheduled exams due to some teachers boycotting the tests as part of their movement.
Teachers and employees of non-MPO institutions had just ended their nearly month-long protests in Dhaka. Assistant teachers of government primary schools also returned to classes after withdrawing their protest on the assurance of grade elevation.
ANNUAL EXAMS SUSPENDED IN GOVT SECONDARY SCHOOLS
Some schools had begun annual exams in mid-November, while others were set to start on Dec 1. Public and private schools alike were scheduled to hold exams from Monday, and many students reported to campuses.
But teachers from 721 government secondary schools began enforcing their pre-announced work abstention. They have four demands, including promotion.
Teachers from schools in Dhaka, Sherpur, Chattogram, Mymensingh, Kushtia and other districts reported exam suspensions as part of the strike.
PART OF PRIMARY TEACHERS ALSO ON STRIKE
A faction of government primary school teachers also suspended annual exams and observed a full-day work stoppage from Monday.
They blamed the situation on not fulfilling the promises of pay grade revision and others.
Teachers in Noakhali, Mymensingh and other districts confirmed that exams had been suspended due to the strike. Another faction of primary teachers, aligned with a 12-organisation alliance, has returned to classrooms and is conducting exams as scheduled.
NON-MPO TEACHERS CONTINUE SIT-IN
Teachers from non-MPO institutions entered the 30th day of their continuous sit-in at the National Press Club, demanding inclusion in the government’s MPO payroll.
They say repeated assurances from authorities have not translated into action, leaving them in severe financial hardship.
GOVERNMENT WARNS OF ACTION
Against this backdrop, the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education has instructed all secondary-level institutions to complete annual selection and junior scholarship exams on schedule.
The directive warned that any negligence or irregularity by teachers assigned to exam duties would result in action.
Similarly, the Directorate of Primary Education issued a notice warning teachers of consequences if annual exams were not conducted properly.
PARENTS EXPRESS CONCERN
Parents’ groups expressed alarm as teachers at both levels boycotted exams.
“Teachers cannot hold students hostage,” said Ziaul Haque Dulu, president of the Guardians’ Unity Forum.
“They may negotiate their demands with the government but should not hold students hostage.”
A school in Rajbari eventually held its exam after heated exchanges between parents and teachers prompted intervention by the district administration
EDUCATION RESEARCHERS URGE RESPONSIBILITY
Education experts have called on teachers to uphold professionalism.
Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who teaches education and research at Dhaka University, said halting exams would leave students distressed. Teachers, he said, should pursue their legitimate demands through dialogue while ensuring academic activities continue.
Education experts also warned that suspending annual exams could trigger negative public sentiment and undermine support for the teachers’ demands.
They urged teachers to act responsibly.
The four demands prompting the protests include:
• Inclusion of assistant teachers in the ninth grade under the BCS general education cadre, along with the formation of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education with a gazette notification.
• Appointments, promotions, and postings for teachers in schools and inspection branches across vacant positions.
• Issuance of overdue timescale and selection-grade approvals within three working days, in line with a Supreme Court ruling.
• Restoration of pre-2015 assistant teacher salary benefits, including 2–3 increments and advance pay allowances, with a gazette notification.
