Nahid tells teachers ‘not now’

The minister, speaking to journalists in Sylhet, urged protesting teachers to call off their demonstrations and assured them to look into their grievances.

“It is under our consideration … schools will be listed gradually,” he said.

The minister was inaugurating the 42nd National School and Madrassa Sports Competition at Sylhet stadium.

Private school teachers seeking listing under the MPO programme have been waging demonstrations since Monday last week under the banner of Non-MPO Shikhha Protishthan Shikhhak-Karmachari Oikya Jote.

On Wednesday, teachers clashed with police. Several teachers including policeman were injured. Some teachers had to be hospitalised.

On Thursday, in protest of the ‘police attack’, teachers began a fast-unto-death programme. Police drove them away twice from the National Press Club and the Central Shaheed Minar.

On Friday, the teachers resumed their programme at the Suhrawardy Udyan in Shahbag, facing bar from police to stage demonstrations on the Shaheed Minar premises.

According to the minister, the government had listed 2,000 schools under the MPO plan two years back. “64 percent of the national budget is spent on paying teachers’ salaries.”

The teachers have threatened to continue their protests until their demands are met.banglanews24.com

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