M M Jasim :
The leaders of Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers’ Association (FBUTA) will observe indefinite work abstention at all public universities from today (Monday) to meet their demands. The leaders of each university teachers’ association will decide about taking examinations.
The leaders of FBUTA said that they would not refrain from their programmes if until the government assured them to press home their long standing demands.
They said this at a press release signed by President of FBUTA Professor Farid Uddin Ahmed and Secretary General Professor ASM Maksud Kamal on Sunday.
The teachers also said that they had nothing to do if the academic activities were hampered as they tried their best to resolve the crisis, but the government did not respond to their demands.
“We have been observing peaceful programmes for realisation of the teachers’ demands across the country. We do not want any harm to the higher education sector. We have no way but indefinite work abstention as the government is yet to give any assurance of us in this regard,” Professor ASM Maksud Kamal told The New Nation on Monday.
He said, “We are not demonstrating for salaries but for our dignity that we lost in the new pay scale.”
He said, “We requested the government to give us proper dignity. We never told the government to increase our salary now. We do not want unexpected comments from anyone about the teachers.”
Professor Maksud Kamal said, “We used to take classes and examinations and run the academic activities smoothly. We have been doing also that. But it will be very sad if the teachers are compelled to continue their movement for their dignity. We urge the government to take initiative to protect the teachers’ dignity by January 11, otherwise the result will not be good.”
He also alleged Finance Minister AMA Muhith on December 6 had assured them of retaining the selection grade and time scale for university teachers in the eighth national pay scale. But he did not keep his words.
“We have actually been deceived by him,” he added.
Meanwhile, hundreds of students of the universities will also be victims of the teachers’ movement as they will have to face session jam and other academic complexities.
“My third year final examination is on. I was hampered for taking preparation as there was an uncertain situation about holding the examination,” Fardin Sohel, a student of Islamic Studies of Dhaka University (DU) told The New Nation yesterday.
“The 2nd year mid-term examination of International Relations Department of DU was scheduled to be held on January 14. But now it will not be held. As a result, the academic session will be delayed to end and we will face session jam,” Ashraful Islam said.
On the other hand, the admission of 2015-16 session will be hampered due to the strike as no academic activities related to admission will be run.
University teachers have been observing their programme since September 8 demanding their four-point demand includes keeping senior professors and senior secretaries on the same pay scale and at an equal level of payment and benefits as enjoyed by the same grade of government officials, and proper place in the warrant of precedence for teachers.
