Teachers working at educational institutions not enrolled to MPO system will besiege the Shikkha Bhaban in the capital on Tuesday to press the government to enlist them.
The announcement came following a day-long sit-in protest staged by Non-MPO Shikkha Prothisthan Shikkhak Karmachari Oikya Jote in front of the National Press Club on Monday.
President Md Esharot Ali of the teachers and workers’ unity council announced the programme on behalf of non-MPO teachers from schools, colleges, madrasas and vocational educational institutions.
“The Shikkha Bhaban will be besieged at 11am following an hour of sit-in programme in front of National Press Club starting at 10am. Different agitation programmes will be announced until the demands are met,” said Ali.
Several hundred teachers took part in the daylong agitation blocking the road in front of the Press Club, creating traffic backlog in the area.
“We do not want to throw any programme that increases sufferings of the people. But the government is paying no heed to our demands. So there is no alternative to an agitation programme,” said Ali.
Teachers who addressed the gathering said they all were in favour of a nonstop agitation programme until their educational institutions are enlisted for MPO.
According to them, as many as 7,500 government recognised educational institutions await their MPO enlistment, and about 100,000 teachers and other people are working at these institutions.
The teachers have long been agitating for MPO enlistment. The Education Minister had a meeting with them in May last year. Education Secretary Kamal Abdul Naser also met the teachers in September last year, but nothing happened.
The police attacked teachers’ protests in September last year.
The teachers withdrew their agitation programmes on assurance from the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that she will be sitting with the teachers for talks. The talks have not taken place, however.
The government was given time until Jan 5 this year for accepting the demand. The teachers threatened to enforce continuous agitation programmes from Jan 7 if their demand was not met.
(bdnews24.com)
