'Allocate fund for nationalisation of non-govt teachers' jobs'

On May 28, they will hold a grand rally at 1:00pm, take out a hunger procession with plates in hands, submit a memorandum to the prime minister (PM) at 2:00pm and start a 48-hour hunger strike at 4:00pm if their demand is not met by May 25.

President of the Association Mohammad Shamsul Alam announced the programmes at a press conference in the city.

Alam said although Haris Chowdhury, political secretary to the PM, made a pledge to meet their demands in phases, nothing has been done as of today.

He urged the PM to initiate the process including allocation of money for them in the upcoming budget to meet their demand.

"Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, when she was the Leader of Opposition, had assured us of nationalising our jobs if her party (BNP) goes to power. But now she forgot her promise", he added.

When asked if Akkas Ali, who led a rally and fast unto death programme in December last year as secretary general of the same association, is with them, he replied, "He had worked for the association two years back, now he is not with us."

"We have been agitating for 11 years to realise our only one demand to nationalise our jobs, but Akkas, on December 29, made a 14- point demand instead of one", he added.

"NPSTA is committed to working for the teachers, not for the government" he said.

Akkas will join the May 28 programme, he hoped.

Secretary General Babu Mrigendra Mohan Saha, Senior Vice President Alhaj Shahidul Islam Khan, Vice President Swapan Kumar Roy, Joint Secretary General Qazi Mozammel, Treasurer Qazi Kamal Pasha and General Secretary Saiful Islam were also present at the conference.

Earlier on December 29 last year, over 1000 non-government primary school teachers held a grand rally at Central Shaheed Minar to press their demand for nationalisation of jobs where Haris Chowdhury assured them to meet their demand in phases.