DIRECTORATE of Primary Education has notified over 3,000 government primary school teachers across the country asking them to explain why action would not be taken against them for holding work abstention. The Bangladesh Prathomik Shikkhak Oikya Parishad spokesperson said that he received complaints from over 3,000 teachers from districts that they were asked on Thursday to submit explanations to the Thana Primary Education Officers within three working days. The protesting primary school teachers were show-caused for work abstention for two hours on October 14, three hours on October 15, half day on October 16 and full day on October 17 at the respective schools demanding salary scale upgrading.
The primary school teachers earlier threatened to boycott the Primary Education Completion examination (PEC) scheduled to begin on November 17 unless their demand for upgrading salary scale was met by November 13. They also threatened to lock all 65,626 government primary schools of the country if their demands — for upgrading salary scale of the Assistant Teachers from 14 to 11 Grade and for Head Teachers from Grade 11 to Grade 10 — were not fulfilled. The teachers are paid less compared to officials of equivalent status working with other departments and agencies.
The protesting teachers’ leaders said for discouraging teachers to attend the October 23 rally, the Directorate had earlier issued a circular asking them not to leave work stations without permission even though all schools remained closed on the day for Akheri Chahar Shomba. Primary and Mass Education Ministry’s Secretary said that actions would be taken as per the government service rules as the teachers are government officials not trade union leaders.
Majority of the teachers got appointment for their political affiliations. Many of them are not competent teachers. But that is no consideration to meet the demands if those are actually not justified. The blame lies with the government who recruited them as party followers.
