Teachers and staff from MPO-listed non-government educational institutions across the country have launched a widespread work stoppage, demanding a 20% house rent allowance, Tk 1,500 in medical allowance, and 75% festival bonuses for staff. Under the banner of the MPO-Listed Education Nationalisation Alliance, they have halted classes and exams, staging a continuous sit-in protest at Dhaka’s Central Shaheed Minar.
As part of their ongoing movement, the teachers have announced a new phase of action — a “March to the Secretariat” — scheduled for today, Tuesday, at 12 PM. Thousands of teachers and employees from schools, colleges, and madrasas nationwide are expected to join the long march, starting from the Shaheed Minar. The protesters have vowed to continue their sit-in and work abstention until their demands are officially granted through a government gazette notification.
The announcement was made on Monday afternoon by Principal Delwar Hossain Azizi, Member Secretary of the Alliance. He said,
“Our protest will continue with the long march to the Secretariat. Ministers and advisors don’t send their children to MPO-listed schools, so they don’t care about our struggles. We’ve been deprived for far too long. This time, we won’t return home without achieving our demands.”
Earlier on Monday morning, the protesting teachers and staff held a rally at the Shaheed Minar. They condemned Sunday’s police action against demonstrating teachers near the National Press Club, calling for an impartial investigation and punishment of those responsible. They also demanded the immediate release of detained protestors.
Due to the ongoing work stoppage, teaching in MPO-listed institutions across the country has been suspended. In some areas, the disruption has even affected public health initiatives, such as typhoid vaccination programs in schools, according to local reports.
On Sunday, police used sound grenades, water cannons, and batons to disperse teachers protesting near the Press Club. The chaotic scene forced many to scatter. By Monday morning, the teachers had regrouped at the Central Shaheed Minar to continue their protest.
Meanwhile, officials from the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Finance stated that discussions are underway to resolve the situation. They said the government is “positive” about increasing the house rent allowance for MPO teachers. Top officials from both ministries are reportedly holding meetings, even outside office hours, to find a resolution. However, the continued protests in Dhaka have placed mounting pressure on the authorities.
Currently, MPO teachers receive salaries under the national pay scale. They get a monthly medical allowance of Tk 500 and a housing allowance of Tk 1,000, which was recently increased to Tk 1,500. Previously, they received two festival bonuses at 25% of basic pay, but as of May, that was raised to 50% for teachers and employees alike.
Several Islamic political parties — including Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolon, Khelafat Majlis, and Inqilab Manch — have expressed solidarity with the protesting teachers. Leaders from these parties visited the protest site at the Shaheed Minar on Monday evening and called on the government to immediately accept the teachers’ demands.
Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Mujibur Rahman said,
“Teachers play a crucial role in ensuring fair elections. If they are forced onto the streets and ignored, the consequences will be dire. The government will have to bear full responsibility for any fallout.”
Ashraf Ali Akon, Presidium Member of Islami Andolon, added,
“Your demands are our demands. We stand with you.”
Khelafat Majlis Senior Leader Maulana Sakhawat Hossain remarked,
“If teachers have to take to the streets and face police batons, it’s a national disgrace.”
Sharif Osman Hadi, Spokesperson of Inqilab Manch, called on the government to immediately meet the demands.
The movement also received support from student leaders of Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU). On Monday night at 9 PM, several DUCSU leaders visited the teachers at the protest site and expressed solidarity. Among them were:
- Musaddiq Ali Ibn Mohammad, Literary and Cultural Secretary
- A.B. Zubair, Social Service Secretary
- Abdullah Al Minhaj, Health and Environment Secretary
- Md. Asif Abdullah, Student Transport Secretary
- Sarbamitra Chakma, Executive Member
The teachers remain resolute in their demands, and with growing support from political and student groups, the movement appears to be gaining momentum.
