Government primary school teachers across Bangladesh have announced a nationwide strike starting Sunday (November 9) to press for their three-point demand, including 10th grade pay scale, professional recognition, and better facilities. The announcement followed a clash at Shahbagh, where police used sound grenades and water cannons to disperse protesters, injuring several teachers and journalists. Teachers vowed to continue the strike indefinitely until their demands are met and urged the government for dialogue instead of force.
Government Primary Teachers Announce Nationwide Strike from Sunday to Press for Three-Point Demand
Government primary school teachers across Bangladesh have declared a nationwide work stoppage beginning Sunday (November 9) to press home their three-point demand, which includes the upgrade of their salary scale to the 10th grade, recognition of their professional status, and improved facilities.
The announcement came on Saturday (November 8) afternoon during a large gathering of teachers at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka, where thousands assembled to voice their frustrations over the government’s inaction on their long-pending demands. Teacher leaders said they had repeatedly appealed to the authorities for dialogue, but no effective measures were taken, forcing them to go on strike.
Earlier in the day, tensions escalated at Shahbagh when police used sound grenades and water cannons to disperse protesting teachers who attempted to break through barricades to march toward the Secretariat. The sudden police action left several teachers and journalists injured, prompting widespread condemnation from educators and rights groups.
Following the confrontation, the teachers regrouped at the Central Shaheed Minar, where they held an impromptu rally and formally announced the countrywide work abstention. The leaders reiterated that the strike would continue indefinitely until their demands were met.
The protesting teachers accused the police of launching an unprovoked attack, calling it an “assault on peaceful demonstrators.” They demanded that those responsible for the incident be identified and brought to justice, and urged the government to resolve the issue through dialogue rather than force.
In a show of solidarity, teachers’ associations from different districts have also expressed support for the movement, warning that if the demands remain unmet, they may intensify their protest through marches and sit-ins in front of government offices across the country.