Primary Teachers’ Organisation Unity Council on Wednesday put forward a nine-point demand including fixing the salary scale of assistant primary school teachers at the 11th grade, promotion opportunities and simplifying the transfer policy.
The organisation also announced that it would submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister through deputy commissioners on October 1 to press for implementation of the demands.
The teachers’ leaders announced the programme at a press conference held at the Abdus Salam Hall of the Jatiya Press Club.
Speakers said primary education is the foundational and basic pillar of the country’s education system.
They said improving the social and economic status of around 380,000 teachers is essential to ensure quality primary education.
They demanded restoration of house rent and Baishakhi allowances and an increase in the education allowance in the 2026 pay scale. They also welcomed the idea of introducing a separate pay scale for teachers.
The speakers said the Unity Council, comprising 11 organisations, has long been working for the legitimate demands of teachers.
They said there is growing frustration among teachers over the suspension of transfers at the upazila level and the situation in which teachers are forced to remain in the same post for years until retirement.
They warned that the lack of opportunities for 100 percent promotion would hamper the delivery of quality and ethical education.
The other demands are resolving complications regarding selection grade or higher grade upon completion of eight and 14 years of service; providing recreation allowance automatically every three years; incorporating life-oriented and work-oriented ethical education into the curriculum; implementing the 10th grade for head teachers without delay; ensuring representation of teachers’ organisations in education-related policymaking decisions; and bringing all government primary schools under a single-shift system, with school hours set from 10am to 3pm.
The teachers’ leaders warned that they would be forced to launch tougher programmes if their demands were not met within a short period.