18th NTRCA-qualified teachers warn of tougher protests if demands unmet by evening

Candidates who passed the 18th Teacher Registration Exam but were excluded from the 6th public recruitment notice have staged a massive rally and sit-in at Shahbagh, demanding a ‘special recruitment notice’ for their appointment. From the protest, they issued a two-point ultimatum to the government until Sunday evening, warning of road blockades and tougher agitation if a gazette notification is not issued by Monday.

The rally began at 10:00am on Sunday. Thousands of protesters were seen at Shahbagh intersection near the National Museum, some draped in shrouds symbolizing their resolve.

Since Saturday night, candidates from across the country, who passed the 18th registration but were not recommended in the 6th notice, arrived in Dhaka by buses, trucks, launches, trains, and other vehicles.

The protesters outlined two demands: include vacant posts until December 31, 2025, and recruit the 16,213 excluded candidates via a special notice; and before amending policies, analyze subject-wise data, remove institutional barriers, add vacant posts as needed, and appoint all through a special notice.

A protester stated, “The government must issue a gazette immediately to appoint the 16,213 excluded candidates. If institutional hurdles aren’t overcome today, we’ll be forced to block roads. We’ll escalate to tougher programs until the gazette is issued.”

He added, “We see the NTRCA chairman’s whims at play, focusing on the 19th circular while delaying appointments for those who passed preliminary, written, and viva exams. We won’t accept this. We won’t leave the streets until our two demands are met.”

Another candidate shared, “I scored 71 out of 100 in the registration exam, yet I haven’t been appointed anywhere. This is sheer deprivation. I want a job at any institution.”

Another protester at the sit-in said, “We won’t accept the 19th circular before the 18th registration candidates are appointed. Our agitation will continue until our demands are met. We’ll return from the streets only after securing our rights.”