Classes and examinations are closed in Kendua Upazila of Netrokona as part of an indefinite strike in all private MPO-affiliated educational institutions across the country. The strike is being observed to demand a 20 percent increase in house rent allowance and to protest police use of force.
Since Monday morning, teachers of various MPO-affiliated schools, colleges and madrasas in the upazila, including Sabirunnesa Girls High School, have been observing a strike by stopping classes.
Principal Delwar Hossain Aziji, member secretary of the MPO-affiliated Education Nationalization Alliance, announced the indefinite strike from a sit-in program at the capital's central Shaheed Minar on Sunday afternoon.
Earlier in the afternoon, tension spread after police clashed with teachers and threw sound grenades during a sit-in in front of the National Press Club.
Meanwhile, students also expressed solidarity when teachers stopped teaching as part of a program at various MPO-affiliated institutions in Kendua.
Rufaida Tabassum, a 9th grade student, said, "Our teachers shape our future. We cannot remain silent when injustice is done to them. The government should quickly fulfill their demands."“
Mokhlesur Rahman Bangali, president of the Bangladesh Teachers' Association and principal of Sabirunnesa Girls' High School, said, "We have been agitating for a long time demanding an increase in house rent and medical allowance. But every time we only get assurances, not implementation. This time we want real action, not assurances."“
He added, "The police attack on our colleagues in the capital is very sad and insulting. The teaching community cannot accept such behavior. Therefore, as part of the central program, we have also closed classes."“
It is worth noting that at the teachers' rally held on August 13 at the National Press Club premises, the Education Advisor had assured to increase the house rent, medical allowance and festival allowance of the teachers and employees under MPO. However, the teachers have alleged that the promise has not been implemented yet.
