Teachers of government primary schools across the country staged a protest yesterday at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka, demanding implementation of the 10th grade salary scale for assistant teachers.

The demonstration began at 10:00am, with teachers arriving in large numbers.

They termed their current classification as third-class employees as unjust and demeaning to the teaching profession.

The protesters issued an ultimatum to the government, warning that they would escalate their movement if their demands were not addressed by 2:00pm. Later, they marched towards Shahbagh around 3:30pm, where police intercepted them near Shahbagh Police Station. The teachers continued their protest at the police barricade.

Teachers of government primary schools stage a protest at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka yesterday, demanding implementation of the 10th grade salary scale for assistant teachers. Photo: Prabir Das

"We are paid as third-class employees, which we cannot accept as teachers. We demand immediate implementation of 10th grade pay scale for assistant teachers," said one of the protestors wishing anonymity.

Farhad Hossain, a teacher from Baruihati Government Primary School in Sunamganj, echoed these sentiments, saying, "We are part of the teaching community; why should we be in the third class? It is not possible to build a country by keeping teachers in the third class."

No official response was made by government representatives in this regard till last reported.

The situation at Shahbagh remains tense, with teachers vowing to continue their agitation until their demands are met.