MPO Teachers Warn of Tougher Movement if Three Demands Are Not Met by December 30

Leaders of the MPO-listed education nationalisation aspirants' alliance have demanded the issuance of transfer orders for MPO teachers, salaries and allowances under the ninth pay scale, and a full 100 percent festival allowance from the coming Eid-ul-Fitr. They warned that a tougher movement programme will be announced if the demands are not met by December 30.

The demands were raised at a press conference held at 10 am on Wednesday (November 4) at the Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall of the National Press Club, addressed by the alliance's member secretary, Principal Delawar Hossain Azizi.

In a written statement, he said more than 600,000 MPO-listed teachers and employees across the country have long been waiting for three just demands to be realised: introducing a transfer system for teachers, paying salaries and allowances under the ninth pay scale, and ensuring a 100 percent festival allowance.

Raising the transfer demand, Delawar Hossain Azizi said many teachers work outside their home districts and areas and have lived separated from their families for a long time. They have to perform their duties hundreds of kilometres away, leaving behind spouses, children and ailing parents, which creates many obstacles in carrying out family responsibilities.

Citing his own experience, he said: 'I myself work about 110 kilometres away from my family and 169 kilometres from my home. Transfer is not a luxury; it is a human and family necessity for teachers. Considering the suffering of teachers who have long waited for transfers, I demand that the relevant order be issued quickly.'

The alliance's second demand is pay and allowances under the ninth pay scale for MPO-listed teachers and employees. Principal Azizi said a large part of the country's education system depends on private MPO-listed institutions, yet despite having the same educational qualifications, responsibilities and professional status, MPO teachers and employees face discrimination in pay, allowances and other benefits. Amid rising prices and the growing cost of living, ensuring their pay under the ninth pay scale is essential, he said.

He also said that following the alliance's programme announcement and the human chains and protest rallies held in more than a hundred districts and upazilas on October 31, the education ministry on November 1 sent a letter to the finance ministry seeking a fund allocation to pay MPO-listed school and college teachers and employees under the ninth pay scale. The alliance's member secretary welcomed the government initiative and thanked those concerned.

However, he complained that no letter has yet been sent to the finance ministry seeking allocations for teachers and employees of madrasa and technical institutions. He demanded prompt steps for the teachers of those two streams as well.

The alliance's third demand is a 100 percent festival allowance for MPO-listed teachers and employees from the coming Eid-ul-Fitr. At present they receive 50 percent of their basic salary as festival allowance, it was noted at the press conference. Delawar Hossain Azizi said teachers spend the whole year educating students and shaping them as human beings, yet even at a time of religious and family joy like Eid they are deprived of a full festival allowance, which is deeply unfortunate and discriminatory. They therefore want a clear announcement and effective measures for a 100 percent festival allowance from the coming Eid-ul-Fitr.

The alliance had earlier decided to hold a sit-in programme in front of the National Press Club on Wednesday under its announced schedule. In the end, the nature of the programme was changed and a press conference was held inside the Press Club instead. Principal Azizi said the government has taken initiative to implement the second and most expensive of the three demands, and the safety of teachers and employees was given importance considering the ongoing labour movement in the capital and surrounding areas and the overall situation. For these reasons, an indoor press conference was chosen over an outdoor sit-in.

He said that although the form and venue of the programme changed, the movement has not been suspended, and it will continue until the three demands are met. 'We are not carrying out any anti-government movement. Our initiative aims at the development of the education system, the professional dignity of teachers and the just rights of more than 600,000 teachers and employees,' he said.

Calling on the relevant government authorities to take swift and effective decisions, Principal Azizi said they are not satisfied with mere assurances or open-ended promises. Specific announcements and effective steps must be taken to meet the three demands by December 30, 2026; otherwise, a tougher movement programme will be announced in consultation with the alliance's leaders.