Pabna, Dec 02 (V7N) – Assistant teachers at government primary schools in Pabna have continued their indefinite work abstention, pressing for the implementation of their three-point demand. The protest entered a new phase on Monday, the first day of annual examinations, creating significant pressure on schools as head teachers were forced to administer tests alone.

The work abstention began on Thursday, 27 November, after repeated appeals for reforms went unanswered. Teachers acknowledged that their protest was disrupting examinations for young students, but said they had no alternative after their concerns were repeatedly ignored.

Farzana Yasmin and Saidul Islam, assistant teachers at Shibrampur Model Government Primary School, said their movement is centered around three key demands: upgrading the assistant teachers’ salary scale to Grade 10, resolving complications regarding higher grade benefits after 10 and 16 years of service, and ensuring 100 percent departmental promotion from assistant teacher to head teacher. They added that the work stoppage is being carried out under the instruction of central leadership and will continue until the demands are met.

Mokarram Hossain, Joint Convener of the Bangladesh Primary Assistant Teachers’ Association in Pabna, and Arichur Rahman Hira, teacher representative of Pabna Sadar Upazila Education Committee, said the timing of the protest is equally difficult for them. “It is painful for us to protest during the annual examinations, but we have been pushed to the wall. We were repeatedly promised reforms, yet nothing has materialized. We urge the government to act immediately so that we can resume examinations without disruption,” they said.

Parents expressed frustration as the strike coincided with a crucial assessment period. Speaking on the premises of Shibrampur Model Government Primary School, guardians Farzana Akter and Sharmin Akter Toma said the work stoppage was affecting their children’s performance. “Annual exams have started, yet the assistant teachers are protesting. It is our children who are suffering. If they cannot perform well now, how will they move confidently to the next class?” they asked, urging authorities to resolve the deadlock quickly.

Head teachers across several schools reported difficulties in conducting examinations single-handedly. Rozina Khatun, Head Teacher of Sadhupara Government Primary School, said she is administering tests through alternative arrangements as per instructions from the authorities. “It is extremely challenging to conduct examinations alone. I am trying my best for the students, but the workload is heavy,” she said.

Education officials are monitoring the situation as concerns grow that prolonged teacher absence could affect academic performance across the district.

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