Police disrupt teachers’ march to Jamuna demanding nationalization of 5,000 schools

NN ONLINE:

Police used batons, water cannons, and sound grenades to disperse private primary school teachers marching toward the chief adviser’s residence at the State Guest House Jamuna, demanding the nationalization of more than 5,000 schools that had been left out. The march began at the National Press Club on Monday afternoon but was halted near the High Court. The teachers regrouped and returned to the Press Club area.

About 1,000 teachers from across the country gathered from 10:00 a.m. under the banner of the Bangladesh Private Primary School General Teachers’ Unity Council. They pressed for swift action in light of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education’s Consultation Committee recommendations. The protesters say the previous government announced the nationalization of all private primary schools on January 9, 2013.

Although there were more than 30,000 schools at that time, nearly 5,000 were excluded for political reasons. Md Naushad Ahmed, the Unity Council’s central coordinator, stated: “The government announced nationalization for all private primary schools on January 9, 2013, but nearly 5,000 were excluded for political reasons.” Coordinator Mahbuba Mala added her remarks. Coordinator Ohidul Islam alleged political motives behind the exclusions, while Shahidul Islam (Bogra) noted, “During the previous government, we received only assurances.

We hope for a solution through the chief adviser’s intervention.” As the demonstration progressed, police clashed with non-government primary school teachers near Jamuna, the chief adviser’s official residence, who were pressing for nationalization. The march departed from the Jatiya Press Club around 4:00 p.m. on Monday. When they reached the Kodom Fountain intersection by the High Court, authorities blocked their path. Police then used batons and deployed sound grenades and water cannons to disperse the protesters.