Teachers in dists vow to realise demands

Teachers and employees of non-government schools brought out a procession and held a rally in Sylhet city as part of their countywide programme yesterday to press their 10-point demand. PHOTO: STAR

At the rallies, leaders of Shikkhok Karmachari Oikkya Parishad vowed to continue the strike till the demands are met. Tougher agitation programme will be announced at the 'grand' rally, they said.

Addressing a divisional rally of teachers in Jessore, chief co-ordinator of the Parishad Selim Bhuiya claimed that at least four lakh teachers and employees of schools will attend the Dhaka rally on July 23, our Jessore Correspondent reported.

Selim Bhuiya demanded resignation of Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman for what he called playing a role against the interests of teachers. State Minister for Education Ehasanul Haque Milon also betrayed with their cause, he alleged at a big rally held at Jessore Edigah Maidan. It was presided over by Atiar Rahman.

Selim Bhuiya said, "Agitation will continue till an announcement is made for payment of 100 per cent salary of non-government teachers and employees from the government exchequer.

Teachers will not return home till their 10-point demand is met, he said.

“The prime minister and the education minister had agreed in principle to meet our lawful demands but the finance minister and the state minister for education spoiled the whole thing”, Selim said.

“He (Mannan Bhuiyan), then an opposition leader, requested us to break the hunger strike, promising that non-government school teachers would get 100 of their salary from the government exchaquer of BNP goes to power”, Selim claimed.

No party could go to power in the past by depriving the teaching community, he said.

In Gaibandha, over 1000 teachers and employees brought out a procession yesterday in the town as part of their countrywide programme.

The processionists paraded the main roads of Gaibandha town and later held a rally in front of the office of Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer. Speakers at the rally urged the government to fulfil their demands to remove the disparity in salary with government school teachers.

They also condemned the police action on peaceful programme of teachers in Dhaka and demanded punishment to the persons responsible for this.

Expressing solidarity with demand of teachers, Gaibandha units of Samajtantrik Chattra Front formed a human chain on DB Road in the town.