Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leaders are set to visit the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka to express solidarity with non-government teachers who are demonstrating for improved benefits under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme, movement organisers said on Monday (October 20). 

Principal Delwar Hossain Azizi, member-secretary of the alliance campaigning for nationalisation of MPO-listed education, confirmed the plan. 

Azizi said BNP joint secretary general Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie and other party figures would join the sit-in to voice support for the teachers’ demands. 

Teachers have occupied the Shaheed Minar area for days, pressing three core demands: raising the house-rent allowance to 20% of basic pay, setting a Tk 1,500 monthly medical allowance, and granting a 75% festival bonus for staff. 

Protest actions have included an overnight sit-in, a “hungry march” with plates and bowls, and rolling rallies and blockades. Further gatherings are planned on Monday (October 20). 

The agitation intensified after authorities moved only partially on the allowances. 

The Finance Division issued an order on September 30 increasing the flat house-rent allowance for MPO teachers and staff from Tk 1,000 to Tk 1,500—an adjustment the groups rejected. 

Education officials later said a fresh proposal had gone to the Finance Division to shift house rent to a percentage of basic pay, with options of 5%, 10%, 15% or 20%. 

On Thursday, Education Adviser Prof Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar told reporters a 5% house-rent allowance—subject to a minimum of Tk 2,000—had been proposed to take effect from Friday (November 1), while stressing budget limits. 

Teachers have refused to accept anything short of their stated demands and vowed to continue work stoppages and the Shaheed Minar sit-in until a formal notification is issued. 

SMS/