Primary assistant teachers to boycott annual exams again today

Assistant teachers of government primary schools across the country will observe a full-day work abstention and boycott the third-term annual assessment exams for the second consecutive day today Tuesday (2 December) as part of their ongoing movement for three demands.

The agitation, led by Primary Teachers’ Demand Implementation Council and other platforms, began on 27 November and intensified with the boycott of annual examinations from Monday.

Bangladesh Primary School Assistant Teachers’ Society President Mohammad Shamsuddin wrote on Facebook on Tuesday morning: “Full-day work abstention and boycott of third-term assessment will continue today in all government primary schools until the Finance Ministry’s three-point commitment is implemented.”

He added that at 4:00 pm today, district coordinators will submit an urgent memorandum to respective deputy commissioners addressed to the Chief Adviser, seeking his direct intervention for immediate implementation of the demands.

Teachers have been asked to ensure massive participation, with at least 100 teachers from each upazila joining the memorandum submission in district headquarters and city corporation areas.

The three demands are:

• Upgradation of head teachers to 10th grade and assistant teachers to 11th grade
• Restoration of previous promotion and time-scale benefits
• Full implementation of promised pay-scale improvements

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education on Sunday night urged teachers to withdraw the programme, stating that the demand for grade upgradation is “logical” and discussions are ongoing with the Finance Division, Public Administration Ministry, and the Pay Commission.

The ministry warned that continuing the strike during the annual examination period, which began on 1 December, would jeopardise students’ academic lives and violate government service rules.

Despite the appeal, teachers have vowed to continue the work abstention and exam boycott until their demands are fully met.