DHAKA: Teachers of 37 public universities have started indefinite demonstration from Monday (January 11) demanding fulfillment of the promises under 8th National Pay Scale and removal of discrimination.

All classes including evening classes remained closed but as per decision of the teachers association of respective universities, semesters and courses’ final tests are being taken.

Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers’ Association (FBUTA) general secretary Dr ASM Maksud Kamal said that it is the pre-schduled program. All teachers are taking part in the program.

However, semester final exam was held at Dhaka University this morning, said professor Maksud.

Teachers at different public universities, including Rajshahi, Chittagong and Jahangirnagar, have started work stoppage.

According to press release signed by FBUTA president Professor Farid Uddin Ahmed and secretary general ASM Maqdud Kamal issued on Sunday, the federation forced to stage demonstration, as the ministries concerned did not take any measure.

The public university teachers have been protesting for last eight month to press home four demands that included declining status of teachers in pay scale and separate scale; and maintain selection grade and time.

The teachers also observed daylong strike on September 8 in 2015 as the government did not met the demands.

Later, finance minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith and education minister Nurul Islam Nahid talked to the teachers and assured them fulfilling the demands, but the federation claimed that nothing has been projected in gazette.

In this regard, the federation conducted a meeting with the representatives of 37 public universities on January 2 and took decision of wearing black badge, two-hour work abstention and continuous abstention from January 11.

BDST: 1210 HRS, JAN 11, 2016
RS/SMS