"We've decided to go on fast-unto-death as the government continues to pay no heed to our demand," General Secretary of Bangladesh Non-government Primary Teachers Association Shamsul Alam told The Daily Star.

The primary teachers will not return home without realising their demand. If necessary, we will die here, said Alam from Muktangan.

However, Adviser to Prime Minister on Primary and Mass Education Prof Jahan Ara Begum on Monday rejected nationalisation of the non-government primary teachers' jobs.

It (nationalisation) was a "slip of tongue" before the 2001 general elections, she said while inaugurating a workshop styled Introducing Public Evaluation Examinations after Finishing Class III and V at the Directorate of Primary and Mass Education in Mirpur in the city.

Thirty non-government primary teachers are taking part in the fast-unto-death programme and at least five among them fell sick. The conditions of several others deteriorated yesterday and they were given intravenous fluid due to dehydration and other complications.

The teachers earlier observed a hunger strike programme to drum up support in favour of their demand for nationalisation of jobs, which was an election pledge of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

There are about 75,500 teachers at 19,428 registered non-government primary schools, according to government statistics.

Mirza Abdul Jalil, president of the Krishak League, among other leaders, went to Muktangaon to express solidarity with the teachers.