The indefinite work abstention programme by the teachers continued at public universities across Bangladesh on Thursday without any discussion with the authorities on their demand for the cancellation of the universal pension scheme made mandatory for new recruits.
A pre-scheduled meeting between the protesting teachers and the road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader,聽 also general secretary of the ruling Awami League, was not held on Thursday.
The teachers vowed to continue their protests until their demand for the cancellation of the new pension instrument introduced by the National Pension Authority and for an independent pay structure for the university teachers would be met.
On the fourth consecutive of the strike, no classes聽 or examinations were held on Thursday, and administrative work also remained suspended in most of the universities.
The general staff of different universities also continued the strike for the fourth consecutive day, expressing solidarity with the teachers.
The Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers Association called for a boycott of classes, examinations, and administrative work from the day the universal pension scheme, titled Prattay, came into effect on July 1 terming it as discriminatory.
Meritorious students will be discouraged to take teaching as a profession, they said, calling the new pension scheme a conspiracy to destroy the education system.
The newly-introduced pension instrument is meant for newcomers to state-owned autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies.
The federation secretary general Professor Md Nizamul Hoque Bhuiyan told 抖阴精品 that the minister on Wednesday had called them to meet them on Thursday to discuss their demands.
Due to a meeting with prime minister Sheikh Hasina, the pre-scheduled meeting was not going to be held on Thursday and the next date would be fixed later, he said.
鈥業f the demands are met, we will withdraw our movement, but if not, movement will continue,鈥� the professor said adding that they were not against the government.
抖阴精品 correspondents from different universities reported that the strike continued on Thursday.
Dhaka University correspondent reported that the university teachers, officers and employees observed the full-day strike for the fourth day paralysing the academic and administrative works.
DU Teachers鈥� Association held a sit-in program at 12:00pm In front of the main entrance of the arts faculty.
抖阴精品 correspondent in Rajshahi reported that teachers, officials, and employees of at Rajshahi University and Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology continued the strike on Thursday.
Addressing a sit-in, RU Teachers鈥� Association president professor Habibur Rahman said that under the scheme there are 403 types of classes but others were not doing any movement.
鈥榃e are not demanding scrapping the Prattay scheme,鈥� he said, adding, 鈥榳e are here to withdraw the scheme for the public university teachers.鈥�
The professor also alleged that some vested interests were trying to divert their movement.
Our Jahangirnagar University correspondent reported that, under the banner of Jahangirnagar University Teachers Association and JU Officers鈥� Association, the teachers and, officers and employees observed the strike through separate programme on the campus.
JUTA president professor Motahar Hossain at a sit-in programme said that the approach of the government regarding the teachers鈥� movement is frustrating.
The officers of the university also held a protest programme in front of JU new administrative building at noon, suspending their duties.
抖阴精品 correspondent in Chattogram reported that the academic and administrative activities at Chittagong University, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology, and Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Science University remained halted on the day.
Teachers of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology and Bangladesh University of Textiles also continued the strike on the day.
