Secondary Teachers Suspend Strike and Return to Annual Exams

Assistant teachers of government secondary schools have temporarily suspended their work stoppage and agreed to resume duties during the annual examinations. The Bangladesh Government Secondary Teachers’ Association (BASMASHIS) announced the decision in a statement on Tuesday (2 December) night.

The statement said the work abstention has been suspended in the interest of students and to prevent disruption to their academic activities. Recognising that annual examinations are crucial for students’ academic progress, teachers have decided to return to exam duties.

As a result, annual examinations at government secondary schools across the country will proceed as usual from today, Wednesday (3 December).

The notice further stated that the uncertainty surrounding the exams had created psychological pressure on students and parents. Teachers have therefore returned out of a sense of responsibility. The authorities concerned have been urged to take prompt action to fulfil the teachers’ demands.

The association also thanked all teachers who participated in the programme and mentioned that future steps will be discussed before announcing the next course of action.

It is known that assistant teachers from more than seven hundred government secondary schools began a continuous work stoppage on Monday (1 December) with four demands, causing annual exams nationwide to be suspended for two days.

The four demands of secondary teachers are:

Inclusion of the assistant teacher position under BCS (General Education) cadre and publication of the ‘Secondary Education Directorate’ gazette.

Immediate implementation of recruitment, promotion and placement in vacant posts under school and inspection branches.

Approval of pending time scale and selection grade in line with the Supreme Court’s verdict.

Restoration of pre-2015 benefits, including two to three increments and advance salary facilities, and publication of the gazette.

Khaborwala/TSN