Secondary teachers return to classes, primary teachers’ agitation leaves young students in limbo
Government secondary school teachers have suspended their two-day full-day strike after observing it over a four-point demand, including inclusion of the entry post of assistant teacher in the BCS cadre.
Meanwhile, a section of government primary school teachers continued their strike by boycotting annual examinations over demands for salary hike and resolution of grade complications, while another section announced a programme to lock school gates on the same demands. As a result, the annual examinations of students that began on Monday have fallen into further uncertainty.
The development has caused widespread resentment among students and guardians. Students said they had prepared for the examinations by staying up late and working hard. But the sudden suspension of tests has left them mentally devastated. Many had plans to visit grandparents’ houses or other places after the examinations. Several guardians had already booked bus and train tickets. They said the money would go to waste as the tests are not being held.
Angry guardians said teachers can agitate to realise their demands, but they should not hold examinees hostage. Doctors also go on strike, but they keep emergency services running. Teachers should have considered continuing the examinations while agitating. That would not have harmed the students. In protest, aggrieved guardians and students demonstrated at the collectorate premises and lodged complaints with administrative officials.
Secondary teachers suspend programme
In a press release on Tuesday night (2 December), Bangladesh Government Secondary Teachers Association announced the suspension of the strike by government secondary teachers. The release said the strike has been temporarily suspended in the interest of students and a decision taken to conduct the annual examinations. As a result, they are returning to the annual examinations in schools from today, Wednesday (3 December).
The press release said the decision to temporarily suspend the strike announced by BASMASHIS has been taken considering that the educational activities of students should not be disrupted in any way. Annual examinations are extremely important for the academic progress of students. Realising the mental pressure that students and guardians were under due to the uncertainty over examinations, the decision to return to educational activities has been taken from a sense of responsibility.
Teachers said securing the future of students and bringing their educational life back to normal flow is one of our prime responsibilities. Therefore, we call upon all concerned to cooperate in smoothly completing the annual examinations from tomorrow (Wednesday), 03 December 2025.
The release further said relevant authorities are urged to take swift and effective initiatives to resolve our legitimate demands so that educational activities are not obstructed in future. Gratitude and thanks are extended to those who spontaneously observed the programme. The next decision will be announced soon after discussions.
Four-point demand of secondary teachers:
- Include the post of assistant teacher in BCS (General Education) cadre and publish gazette of the Directorate of Secondary Education.
- Expedite appointment, promotion and posting in various vacant posts in schools and inspection branches.
- Issue approval order for pending time scale and selection grade in light of the Supreme Court verdict.
- Restore advance increased salary benefits with two to three increments for assistant teachers as before 2015 and publish gazette.
Primary teachers announce tougher programme
A section of government primary school assistant teachers under the banner of Primary Teachers Demand Implementation Council observed a full-day strike on Tuesday, keeping annual examinations suspended. They had agitated a few days ago over three demands, including salary in 10th grade. Later, they suspended the programme after assurance of salary in 11th grade.
Meanwhile, the platform of 12 organisations of primary teachers agitating for salary in 11th grade, resolution of higher grade complications and ensuring promotion of assistant teachers – Primary Assistant Teachers Organisation Unity Council – has threatened to lock schools from Thursday if demands are not met by Wednesday.
Convener of Primary Assistant Teachers Organisation Unity Council Anisur Rahman said on Tuesday that the Unity Council announced the programme in a virtual meeting on Monday night. If effective steps are not taken to implement the three-point demands of assistant teachers, the “locked” programme will be implemented in all government primary schools across the country from Thursday.
He said all assistant teachers and head teacher friends are earnestly called upon to implement this programme. Everyone is requested to come forward to increase their own dignity. The responsibility to increase my dignity lies with me. So let us work unitedly to implement the programme. The debt to those who gave blood and lives for realising teachers’ demands cannot be repaid. Thanks and gratitude are extended on behalf of the Unity Council to those who courageously observed programmes earlier.
For context, strike has been continuing in government primary schools since Thursday (27 November) under the banner of Primary Teachers Demand Implementation Council demanding implementation of the assurance of salary in 11th grade. Meanwhile, followers of Primary Assistant Teachers Organisation Unity Council observed half-day strike on Sunday and Monday last week, and full-day strike on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday over the demand for salary in 11th grade.
