Government primary school assistant teachers have announced a full-day work abstention from today (26 May), pressing for the implementation of three key demands, including the placement of their entry-level salary in the 11th grade.

The United Platform of Assistant Teachers, a coalition of assistant teacher associations, announced the move in a statement signed by its convener and president of the Bangladesh Primary School Assistant Teachers’ Association, Mohammad Shamsuddin. The organisation said the protest will continue until the demands are met, reports Prothom Alo.

Yesterday (25 May) was the final day of their previously declared half-day work abstention, which was part of a gradual escalation. The protest began with a one-hour daily abstention from 5 to 15 May, increased to two hours from 16 to 20 May, and then extended to half-day strikes from 21 to 25 May.

The teachers’ three-point demand includes:

• Placement of assistant teachers in the 11th grade at the start of their careers by revising the recommendations made by the government’s advisory committee on primary and non-formal education;
• Resolving complications related to higher grade eligibility after 10 and 16 years of service; and
• Ensuring timely and 100% promotion to the position of head teacher.

Earlier, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education had taken steps to upgrade the pay scale of primary school teachers by one grade. According to the proposed changes, assistant teachers would be placed in the 12th grade, while head teachers would receive the 10th grade.

This initiative was based on the recommendations of an advisory committee led by BRAC University’s Emeritus Professor Manzoor Ahmed and a relevant court verdict. However, protesting assistant teachers rejected the government’s proposal, insisting on an 11th grade entry-level salary rather than the 12th.