Primary teachers announce indefinite work abstention from Sunday

In protest against police attacks at Shahbagh and to press their three-point demands, protesting primary school teachers have announced an indefinite work abstention across all primary schools in the country starting Sunday (9 November).

They also vowed to continue their sit-in programme at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka.

Shamsuddin Masud, convener of the Primary Assistant Teachers’ Unity Council and central president of the Primary School Assistant Teachers’ Association, announced the decision on Saturday evening at 6:00pm.

He said, “To press our demands and protest the police attack, we will observe a full-day work abstention in all primary schools nationwide from tomorrow, alongside continuing our sit-in at Shaheed Minar.”

Earlier, Shamsuddin Masud said that police had fired rubber bullets at teachers during the protest.

“Many of our teachers were shot. Over a hundred were injured by sound grenades and tear gas,” he said.

“Hundreds of teachers have been hurt, with rubber bullets striking hands, legs, and stomachs. One teacher admitted to PG Hospital was hit near the forehead, and many others are receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital,” he added.

The teachers had earlier launched the ‘Pen Surrender Programme’ at the Central Shaheed Minar and marched towards Shahbagh to press their three-point demands, but police dispersed them with baton charges, water cannons, and sound grenades after they broke through barricades. Over 120 injured teachers were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment.