The protesting non-government teachers under the Monthly Payment Order scheme on Thursday postponed their ongoing strike on the 23rd day till the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha.
Till Wednesday they had continued their sit-in programme in front of the National Press Club in the capital for the 22nd consecutive day since February 12 demanding a hike in benefits and nationalisation of the educational institutions under the MPO.
The teachers took the decision of postponing the strike after the immediate past adviser for the education ministry, Wahiduudin Mahmud, on Wednesday announced that the festival, medical and recreation allowances and house rent of the teachers would increase from this Eid-ul-Azha.
At a farewell ceremony arranged in his honour on Wednesday by the education ministry, Wahiduudin also said that a fund was created for paying retirement benefits to these teachers.
Under the banner of Alliance with Associations of Teachers and Employees under the MPO, they held a press conference on Thursday at the National Press Club where they announced postponing the strike, said a press release issued by the alliance.聽聽聽
The alliance member secretary, principal Delawar Hossain Azizi, said that they started their sit-in programme on February 12 demanding nationalisation of the educational institutions under the MPO, a 100 per cent festival allowance and house rent and medical allowances as per government system.
He said that they also had held March to Secretariat, March to Jamuna, March to Shikkha Bhaban, work abstention, processions and human chains in different districts and upazilas.
鈥楽howing respect for and confidence in the announcement of the immediate past adviser, we have taken a decision to postpone the ongoing movement till the next Eid-ul-Azha,鈥� he said.
Delawar Hossain Azizi also said that they were expecting that the education ministry would issue a circular in this regard before the Eid-ul-Azha.
He added that they would resume their movement if their demands were not met.
At the press conference, the alliance鈥檚 convener, principal Main Uddin, coordinator Jahirul Islam and joint member secretary Abul Bashar were also present, among others.