M M Jasim :
A section of secondary level teachers from Monthly Pay Order (MPO) listed schools and madrasas think that the teachers’ hunger strike and works abstention just ahead of the SSC and its equivalent examinations are not acceptable.
They feel that the teachers’ demand for natioanlisation of their MPO listed institutions is the demand of the time. They consider that the striking teachers’ organisations could start the programme again after the SSC exams end.
There is no alternative to make the country’s education world standard without nationalisation of the secondary level institutions. It is also similarly important not to do anything that hampers the total education system, they said.
Shamsul Islam, a school teacher of Narsingdi, told The New Nation on Saturday evening that many students and guardians came to his house to know about the teachers’ movement. They were also seen nervous. They actually wanted to know about the decision of the teachers. Will SSC examinations be held in time or not?
“As a teacher, I support the demand of the agitating teachers. I am also following the direction of the teachers’ organisations in this regard. But I think that the organisations should pause their movement and start it after the SSC examinations. It will be good for the students as well as education sector,” Shamsul Islam said.
Nasir Uddin, another teacher of a school in Netrokona, said, “The students are in frustration about the SSC examinations due to the teachers’ movement for nationalisation. The frustration may impact on students’ memories. So, it will be wise if the teachers’ leaders interval their movement in the interest of the SSC examinees.”
“We are working to build a good nation. Our activities should be systematic and students friendly. We can give pressure on the government. But we can’t do anything that will be harmful for the students,” Nasir said.
Meanwhile, the many guardians said that they are with the teachers. But the teachers shouldn’t do anything victimizing the students.
They said that it would be difficult to achieve the goal without support of the whole nation in teachers’ movement for nationalisation of their institutions. So they must consider the students’ interest. Otherwise, the result of the movement can be different, they said.
Razzak Hawlader, a guardian, said, “My daughter has already lost her concentration from study. Some teachers told her that the SSC examinations are uncertain. She is now upset. As a father, I cannot support the teachers’ movement before the examinations.”
“I request the teachers to come back to the schools and boost the students’ confidence. Please don’t continue your movement keeping the students front line and harming their life,” he said.
On the other hand, the teachers’ leaders said that it was high time to meet their demand.
Nazrul Islam Rony, Adviser of Besarkari Shikhkha Jatiyakaran Liaison Forum, and President of Bangladesh Shikkhok Somittee, told The New Nation on Saturday that they would wait for the response of the government till January 28.
“I believe that the government will give us specific direction for the nationalisation of the MPO listed institutions. If it fails to provide any message by January 28, we have no option but boycott the SSC examinations,” he said.
Hundreds of teachers have been observing their hunger strike in front of the Jatiya Press Club for nationalisation under the banner of “Besarkari Shikhkha Jatiyakaran Liaison Forum”, a platform of six organisations of teachers and employees since January 15.
A total of 177 teachers fell sick and 30 of them were given intravenous saline drips.
There are some five lakh teachers and employees of 37,000 MPO listed academic institutions in the country. About 25 lakh students are likely to take part in this year’s SSC and it equivalent examinations.
