Teachers' grand rally postponed

The postponement of the rally shattered the hope of the teachers of non-government primary schools that their long-standing demand for more government grant could be realised through this rally. Expectation was high that Prime Minister Khaleda Zia would give an announcement in this regard at the rally.

The rally was postponed as the prime minister will remain busy due to her official engagements and the fresh date of the rally will be announced later, said a press release signed by Md Selim Bhuiyan, chairman of Jatiya Shikkhak Samity Oikya Jote, yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Jatiya Shikkhak Karmachari Front, another forum of teachers, said there is no need to hold such a grand rally in order to realise the demands, including 100 percent of basic salary from the government.

At present, the non-government primary teachers are receiving 90 percent of their basic salary from the government.

At a press conference yesterday, the Front leaders said the government can announce the enhancement through official handout, but its move to hold a rally is aimed at achieving political gains ahead of the next general election.

They also demanded that the government announce the 100 percent of basic salary with effect from October 2001 as it was an election pledge of the BNP-Jamaat alliance government.

Among others, Prof Kazi Faruque Ahmed, chief convenor of the Front, spoke at the press conference held at its central office in the city.